ASEAN-Australia Special Summit: Two-day summit officially begins in Sydney

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Leaders from 10 Southeast Asian Nations are in Sydney this weekend to further economic and security cooperation across the region. However, hosting the ASEAN Special Summit is a strategic coup for Australia, which is still not a formal member of this organisation. Greg Navarro has more in Sydney.

Security in Sydney was at its highest level the city has seen in more than a decade as leaders from Southeast Asia arrived for the 2-day special summit. The high profile event is an important one for Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government as he seeks to further links across the region.

MALCOLM TURNBULL AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER "You know, the path of free trade, particularly when there are winds of protectionism blowing stronger perhaps than they have in the past is always challenging but we have to keep at it."

The event is also focused regional security, including the threats from terrorism.

PETER DUTTON AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS "Protecting our nations from the scourge of terrorism is an ever-increasing challenge. Terrorists and violent extremists are becoming increasingly ruthless, adaptive and creative."

The participation of some Southeast Asian countries spurred protests across Sydney, focusing on human rights concerns in Cambodia, and Myanmar.

DIANA SAYED AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA "We need leadership from Malcolm Turnbull and we need them to cut military ties with Myanmar today."

GREG NAVARRO SYDNEY "Although Australia is the host nation for this summit, it is not an official member of ASEAN. This week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo threw his support behind Australia joining, signalling that he wanted the country to play a larger role in the region."

But it's unclear how much support exists from the rest of the ASEAN members. Experts point out that Australia continues to forge economic links across Southeast Asia, and that becoming an official member could impact the country's relationships with China and the US. When asked if Australia should join ASEAN, Turnbull appeared to sidestep the issue.

MALCOLM TURNBULL AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER "We are a dialogue partner with ASEAN, we work closely with ASEAN, and we respect the centrality of ASEAN and its significance and fundamental central importance in our region."

The 2 day Special Summit wraps up on Sunday. Greg Navarro, CGTN, Sydney.