The Philippine private sector gained recognition for its efforts to promote regional economic cooperation and integration and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN, as the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines (ABAC PH) chaired by Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, recently garnered the First Place in the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) Visibility Award 2024.

The award was in recognition of the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN), a region-wide entrepreneurial mentoring program that provides formal training to MSMEs of the ASEAN Member States (AMS).

“The compelling human stories shared, highlighting the positive impact of the AMEN trainings on MSMEs in the region, have resonated with a wide audience,” JAIF said in its letter to ABAC PH. The letter also stated that ABAC PH’s exceptional efforts in promoting JAIF support through various media channels, such as newspaper articles and social media, have significantly contributed to raising awareness JAIF’s initiative.

ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN) is supported by the Government of Japan through JAIF.

In AHA Centre’s latest highlight video, discover the challenges and key takeaways shared by ASEAN-ERAT Members who participated in the Level 2 Course on Information Management 2024.

AHA Centre thanked the Social Welfare Department of Lao PDR for hosting the course and the Government of Japan for its support through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

Watch the full video here.

The Ninth Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group to Develop the ASCC Strategic Plan (AHWG) took place on 14-15 January 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was co-chaired by the Under Secretary of International Relations Division (Culture) at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, Dr. Christina Yeo Ken Yin, and Director of the Policy Development and Planning Bureau (PDPB), Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Philippines, Hannah A. Giray-Carcido.

The meeting reviewed and deliberated on key insights from stakeholder engagement activities as well as recommendations from ASCC and cross-pillar sectoral bodies. The meeting also exchanged views on the next steps, including timeline of the Strategic Plan’s developments and arrangements for the succeeding AHWG meetings, with the aim of finalising the ASCC Strategic Plan for the adoption by the ASEAN Leaders in May 2025.

This meeting is part of ongoing activities to support the development of the ASCC Post-2025 Strategic Plan Project funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) 3.0.

The General Lecture, titled “Advancing Fishery Sciences: Insight and Innovations from Experts,” took place on Monday, 13 January 2025, at Jakarta Technical University of Fisheries. The event was organized by SEAFDEC collaborated with the Agency for Marine and Fisheries Extension and Human Resources Development of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, reflecting the commitment to promoting the Blue Economy as part of Indonesia’s vision for a golden future. The event reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to advancing fisheries science and encouraging collaboration between academia, practitioners, and policymakers.

The speakers emphasized sustainable practices as a cornerstone for securing fisheries resources for the future and provided actionable steps for integrating scientific approaches into real-world fisheries challenges.

Attendees, both in-person and via Zoom in total 900 participants, engaged in dynamic discussions and gained practical knowledge on sustainability and innovation in fisheries.

This project is supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

SEAFDEC, in collaboration with the JAIF-supported project, hosted the Training Workshop on CPUE Analysis and Stock Assessment from 10 to 13 January 2025, in Jakarta. This workshop is part of the project “Development of Stock Assessment Methods and Strengthening of Resource Management Measures for Tropical Anguillid Eel in Southeast Asia” supported by the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

Tropical anguillid eel resources play a significant role in global fisheries, serving as a source of consumption and international trade. In Southeast Asia, the rising demand for these resources has heightened the need for sustainable management. However, efforts to develop effective management measures have been hindered by a lack of comprehensive information on eel biology, catch data, and aquaculture practices. The workshop addressed these challenges by reviewing and analyzing sample catch data, environmental data, and CPUE (Catch Per Unit Effort). It also discussed methods for estimating abundance trends and developing appropriate management measures. Additionally, the workshop aimed to update regional policy guidelines to support the conservation and sustainable management of tropical anguillid eel resources.