At the 16th ASEAN-Japan Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting. Photo: ASEAN.org

The 16th ASEAN-Japan Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting took place virtually, underscoring the commitment of both sides to further advance the ASEAN-Japan partnership towards the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations next year.

The meeting welcomed the continued efforts in the implementation of cooperation activities and projects under the Implementation Plan of the 2013 Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, ASEAN said on its website.

Both sides agreed to continue enhancing cooperation in areas of common interests, including trade and investment, tourism, disaster management, health, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, smart cities, cybersecurity, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges as well as in regional post-pandemic recovery. Both sides also emphasised the need to further promote economic cooperation, including through the implementation of the RCEP Agreement.

ASEAN took note the proposal by Japan to designate 2023 as “the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation”. Photo: ASEAN.org

ASEAN appreciated Japan’s support to ASEAN efforts in handling challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic for the last two years, including the establishment and operations of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases Centre.

ASEAN took note the proposal by Japan to designate 2023 as “the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation” to celebrate the milestone with various commemorative activities. A Logo Design and Catchphrase Contest for the 50th Year will be organised and both sides will also start preparing deliverables for the Year.

The two sides exchanged views on developments in ASEAN and Japan as well on international and regional issues. Japan reaffirmed support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

Both sides agreed to continue enhancing cooperation in areas of common interests. Photo: thediplomat.com

Both sides also agreed to strengthen ASEAN-Japan practical cooperation in the four areas outlined in the AOIP, in line with the ASEAN-Japan Joint Statement on Cooperation on AOIP adopted by the Leaders in 2020.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN, Urawadee Sriphiromya, and Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, Akira Chiba, and attended by members of the Committee of the Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and the Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political Security Community.

In his remarks, Ambassador Bang welcomed Japan's new initiatives to bolster co-operation with ASEAN, such as priority given to innovative and sustainable growth, the Asian Energy Transformation Initiative (AETI), and most recently the "Asia-Japan Investment for the Future" initiative, VOV reported./.

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