ASEAN, Japan to Further Deepen Partnership

25 March 2022 -

The 16th ASEAN-Japan Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting took place virtually today, 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.

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

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 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.

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 (ACPHEED).

A Feasibility Study on the Establishment of “ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases” and Detailed Design and Preparation Support for the “ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases” are supported by the Government of Japan trough Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).