ASEAN-Japan is set to continue its long-term partnership for global peace and prosperity after 50 years of friendship and cooperation.
“Both sides would like to reaffirm their full commitment to enhance cooperation in key areas of ASEAN and global security,” ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for Socio-Cultural Community Ekkaphab Phanthavong said during the Wrap-up Syposium of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation here on Wednesday.
He said the ASEAN-Japan relations that have existed since 1977 have brought many achievements, including mutual respect, commitment to peace, prosperity and sustainable development.
The partnership has now developed into one of the most dynamic and substantive relationships in three important areas: political stability, economic cooperation, and socio-culture. Japan also gives strong support to the ASEAN community vision.
ASEAN-Japan relations will continue in accordance with two documents produced at the ASEAN-Japan Summit that took place in Tokyo last December.
The first document is the Joint Vision Statement, which contains a second long-term vision based on three pillars.
The first pillar, Heart to Heart Partners Across Generations, covers youth exchange, culture, sports, and science and technology.
The second pillar, Partners for Co-Creation of Economy and Society, strengthens cooperation in the fields of economy, environment, disaster management, food security and energy transition.
The third pillar, Partners for Peace and Stability, achieves security stability.
Meanwhile, the second document contains the implementation of the Plan of the Joint Vision Statement, which consists of 130 collaborations.
“I believe ASEAN’s strength depends on the sustainable growth of the commitment to work together for effective summit outcomes,” Ekkaphab said.
On the same occasion, Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Masahiko Kiya said that Japan and ASEAN have been working together to deliver tangible benefits of cooperation, ranging from cooperation on digitalization, disaster and health management, and climate, to environmental issues and food supply chains.
He hoped for broader cooperation through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which affirms ASEAN’s stance on maintaining peace, security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We will take concrete steps to bring tangible benefits to Japan-ASEAN, especially the younger generation who want to promote peace. Look forward to Japan’s actions, but the key is implemented here with ASEAN,” he said.
