Where does Southeast Asia fit in Australia’s narrative of the region? How does strategic competition impact our economic and trade policies on Southeast Asia?

Asia Society Australia and Norton Rose Fulbright warmly invite you to a special private lunch with Ridwaan Jadwat, First Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Maritime Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ray Marcelo, Assistant Secretary, ASEAN and Regional Strategy Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

This exclusive lunch is an opportunity to engage with Ridwaan Jadwat and Ray Marcelo, profile your organisation’s interest in Southeast Asia, and discuss how policy setting might impact your business in-country.

Date: Wednesday 11 May 2022
Time: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. AEST
Venue: Norton Rose Fulbright, Sydney

This event is by invitation only. Places strictly limited. For any enquiries, please contact [email protected]. For access to exclusive events, become an Asia Society Australia member. 

 This event is in partnership with Norton Rose Fulbright

About our Speakers 

Ridwaan Jadwat, First Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Maritime Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Ridwaan Jadwat is the First Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Maritime Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and has held the role of Australia’s Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation since December 2018. Prior to taking up his appointment as the Head of the Southeast Asia Division in January 2021, Mr Jadwat was Australia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Yemen. 

A senior career DFAT officer, Mr Jadwat has served in Cairo, Riyadh, Tehran and Kuala Lumpur.  In Canberra, Mr Jadwat has held a range of positions including Director, ASEAN and East Asia Summit Section. Mr Jadwat was seconded to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2015-2018 and served as Assistant Secretary, South and South-East Asia, Americas and the Middle East, International Division and as the Head of Policy in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit Taskforce.

Mr Jadwat holds a Bachelor of Economics (Social Sciences) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Sydney, and a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University.

Ray Marcelo, Assistant Secretary, ASEAN and Regional Strategy Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Ray Marcelo is Acting First Assistant Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Southeast Asia and Regional Division. The Division leads policy on Australia’s relations with ASEAN, Mekong Strategy, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. His past roles include Counsellor, Australian Embassy Jakarta, DFAT spokesperson, deputy speechwriter, and adviser in the office of the Trade Minister. He speaks Bahasa Indonesia and Filipino