On 21 August 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 44th SEOM-CER Consultation between ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand (SEOM-CER 44) reviewed the implementation of the AANZFTA and the entry into force of the Second Protocol to Amend the AANZFTA. The Meeting noted progress under the AANZFTA Implementation Support Programme (AISP) and discussed preparations for the 30th ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Economic Ministers’ Consultation.

The 44th SEOM-CER Consultation was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 21 August 2025 with the participation of senior economic officials from the 10 ASEAN Member States, Australia and New Zealand. Timor-Leste attended the Meeting as an observer.

The Meeting noted the implementation of the Agreement of Establishing ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and the entry into force of the Second Protocol to Amend the AANZFTA. The Protocol has entered into force for Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Lao PDR and New Zealand on 21st April 2025, and will take effect for Viet Nam on 22nd August 2025 and for Thailand on 1st October 2025.

The Meeting also noted significant progress under the AANZFTA Implementation Support Programme (AISP), with a total budget of AUD 8.78 million for 2023–2026, covering 35 cooperation projects in areas such as trade in goods, investment, e-commerce, intellectual property, competition, consumer protection and sustainable development. At the meeting, Ms. Nguyen Viet Chi, Deputy Director General of Mutilateral Trade Policy Department welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the AANZFTA. She also shared that Viet Nam highly values the support provided by Australia and New Zealand to the AISP, and emphasised the importance of close coordination among AANZFTA Parties to ensure the effectiveness of the Programme, thereby delivering tangible benefits to businesses in the region, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

In addition, the Meeting also discussed the outcomes of the 2025 ASEAN-CER Integration Partnership Forum (IPF) on digital economy integration and preparations for the 30th AEM-CER Consultation to be held in September 2025.

The Meeting reaffirmed the commitment to effectively implement the upgraded AANZFTA, strengthen ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand economic cooperation, and contribute to sustainable trade and the ASEAN Economic Community Vision 2045.