ASEAN and Japan agreed to explore new initiatives for cooperation to further advance their strategic partnership following the 13th ASEAN-Japan Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting held at the ASEAN Secretariat on 14 March. A number of activities have been planned in 2019 such as the continuation of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths programme and the adoption of a joint statement on connectivity by the Leaders at their Summit in November this year.

ASEAN and Japan agreed to explore new initiatives for cooperation to further advance their strategic partnership following the 13th ASEAN-Japan Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting held at the ASEAN Secretariat on 14 March.

ASEAN welcomed Japan’s continued support for ASEAN Community-building including its contribution to the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund to support cooperation programmes and projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and narrowing development gaps in the region. Both sides agreed to further streamline and provide necessary flexibilities to facilitate the utilisation of the Fund.

The 13th ASEAN-Japan JCC Meeting was co-chaired by Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to ASEAN Tran Duc Binh and Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN Kazuo Sunaga.

A total of 144 university students from ASEAN, Timor Leste, and Japan deepened their understanding on sustainable development during the week-long Japan-ASEAN Students Conference in Tokyo and Miyagi, Japan from 19 to 25 February.

The programme provided an avenue for students to network and exchange views on issues which are related to their academic backgrounds and relevant with the United Nations 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals. Other activities included visits to Edo-Tokyo Museum, the University of Tokyo, and Tokyo Metropolitan City.

The conference was organised as part of the 2018 Japan East-Asia Network of Exchange Programme for Students and Youth (JENESYS2018).

The ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities represents the culmination of a collaborative and cross-pillar initiative of ASEAN organisations and entities to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in the ASEAN Community.

Its development is part of the project Task Force on the Mainstreaming of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

The ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities represents the culmination of a collaborative and cross-pillar initiative of ASEAN organisations and entities to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in the ASEAN Community.

Its development is part of the project Task Force on the Mainstreaming of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).