The Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Indonesia (UI) in collaboration with Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM RI) and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) Japan held the ASEAN–Japan Risk Management Plan (RMP) Symposium and Seminar 2023 on 24-26 May 2023 at the Ayana Midplaza Grand Ballroom, Jakarta. This activity is funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan–ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and supported by the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) with aims to enhance efforts to harmonise drug regulations among the ASEAN Member States.

Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, H.E. KIYA Masahiko expressed his appreciation to UI, BPOM RI, and PMDA Japan for organising this symposium and thanked all speakers who had participated. According to Ambassador Kiya, this event is a good opportunity for parties from ASEAN and Asia to take part in efforts to advance world health.

The entire project between ASEAN and Japan will focus on advancing global harmonisation activities on pharmaceutical regulations related to medicinal products. When country-specific regulations apply, additional tests and inspections may be required before the product can be approved. This lengthens the review period and increases costs, even causing delays in patient access to drugs. Therefore, the harmonisation of pharmaceutical regulations plays an important role in eliminating technical barriers in drug distribution without reducing the quality or safety of drugs. It is the responsibility of world regulators to ensure fast and appropriate access. With this joint effort, Deputy Chairperson of BPOM RI Dra apt Togi Junice Hutadjulu MHA is optimistic that symposium participants from ASEAN member countries will benefit from the latest information from experts and experiences shared in this symposium.

The articles about the event are also published on Indonesia’s news websites namely Suara Nusantara and Warta Apoteker.

Join the campaign and celebrate the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation! The grand prize winner will be invited to Tokyo or one of the ASEAN countries.Take this chance and show your creativity.

Deadline for submission is Saturday, June 10, 2023.

The video can be shot on your smartphones of your daily life filled with your perspectives and thoughts, so don’t hesitate to join the celebration of ASEAN-Japan Friendship!

For details, please refer to the entry guidelines on the campaign announcement page on the website for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

On 21 May 2023, ASEAN delivered the first batch of Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) relief items of USD 100,000 in value to support the people of Myanmar affected by the Tropical Cyclone Mocha.

The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) is preparing to deliver more relief items from the DELSA Regional Warehouse in Malaysia and Satellite Warehouse in Thailand. The ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN-ERAT) have also been deployed to conduct rapid needs assessment and to facilitate the delivery of relief items.

The Secretary-General of ASEAN has expressed his condolences to the affected communities and is closely monitoring the situation. Pursuant to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Impact of Cyclone Mocha on Myanmar issued on 15 May 2023, the Secretary-General stands ready to serve as the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator (SG-AHAC) to provide strategic coordination and facilitate resource mobilization. Additional contributions from ASEAN Member States, external partners, and stakeholders including international humanitarian organisations are greatly appreciated to support ASEAN’s efforts in alleviating the suffering of the people affected by Cyclone Mocha.

The Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) has been supporting DELSA since its establishment in 2012.

Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, H.E. KIYA Masahiko was interviewed by the ASEAN magazine on the occasion of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and shared his insights on this significant partnership.

Ambassador said, since the establishment of ASEAN-Japan relations, Japan has worked closely with ASEAN for five decades to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in this region as a staunch supporter of ASEAN centrality and unity. Japan has also been working to aid ASEAN’s integration efforts through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) established in 2006, he added.

Further, Ambassador Kiya shared his view on Japan’s new plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and how it compares to ASEAN’s AOIP. He also promoted the commemorative events organized by the Mission of Japan to ASEAN.

Read full article on page 60-61.

Heads of State/Government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), gathered in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, for the 42nd ASEAN Summit on 10-11 May 2023 under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Indonesia. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, and convened in accordance with the ASEAN Charter.

The meeting welcomed the progress made on the implementation of ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy 2021-2025 and recognized the continuing role of cybersecurity awareness activities and capacity-building programs of the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE) and the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC)^* in complementing existing ASEAN efforts in building regional cybersecurity posture.

The meeting also agreed to expand the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to respond to other public health emergencies and emerging diseases and encourage the finalization of Establishment Agreement and preparatory phase of the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED)^*.

Read full statement here.

^*The ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) and ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) are supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).