ASEAN Is Expected To Be More Responsive To The Issue Of Development Gaps

JAKARTA - Deputy for Coordination of International Economic Cooperation at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy Edi Prio Pambudi as the leader of the Indonesian delegation in the 44th and 45th Summits of ASEAN hopes that ASEAN will be more responsive to the issue of development gaps in the region.

The meeting was held on 6-11 October 2024 in Vientiane, Laos.

"We have many initiatives for the sustainability agenda, but what is more important is how we formulate strategic action plans to carry out these various initiatives," said Edi quoting Antara.

In the summit, the issues discussed include the regional economic landscape, ASEAN economic priority achievements, the implementation of the 2025 ASEAN Blueprint, sustainability issues, digital transformation issues, the preparation of the 2026-2030 MEA Strategic Plan, Timor Leste membership, and documents that will be agreed upon at the ministerial and head of state levels.

"I congratulate Laos on the chairmanship of ASEAN 2024. There have been many positive achievements, but there are several initiatives that need future attention, namely strengthening tourism infrastructure, emphasizing geopolitical and geoeconomic issues, identifying potential cooperation with ASEAN partners including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," said Edi.

Laos chairmanship in ASEAN in 2024 has the theme "Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience". Through this theme, Laos has the main mission to promote infrastructure connectivity, narrow development gaps, promote economic integration, encourage inter-community relations, and strengthen ASEAN relations with external partners. To support it, Laos' economic priorities focus on three main strategies, namely integration and connectivity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

ASEAN currently has several initiatives related to sustainability issues such as carbon neutrality, blue economy, circular economy and so on.

During the meeting, senior officials also discussed documents requiring adoption, ratification, or notation from the MEA Council.

The document consists of four documents for adoption, five documents for ratification, and six documents for the MEA Council's notation.

The documents will then become the basis for the framework and implementation of regional cooperation in the economic sector, including related to inclusive economy, sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, to artificial intelligence.