The Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan have agreed to boost the cooperation on economic recovery and to strengthen the resilience, strong, sustainable, and innovative supply chains, stressing the expansion of trade and investment cooperation.
The commitment was made in the 25th ASEAN-Japan Summit held in Phnom Penh on Nov. 12 under the co-chairmanship of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Chair of ASEAN 2022, and H.E. Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan.
In the summit, the Leaders spoke highly of the ASEAN-Japan cooperation, bringing remarkable achievements in all fields and enhancing vitally the people’s living standard in the region and Japan, said H.E. Kung Phoak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Spokesperson for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.
ASEAN Leaders expressed appreciation for Japan’s contribution to ASEAN, particularly the donation of COVID-19 vaccines and other medical supplies, contributing to preventing and reducing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the region, he said at a daily press conference yesterday evening.
The Leaders also agreed to hold a Commemorative Summit in Tokyo around December 2023 and designated the year 2023 as the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, he added.
Japanese Premier H.E. Kishida Fumio introduced Japan’s loans of approximately 295 billion JPY in total to ASEAN countries as part of Japan’s support to the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF).
He also reaffirmed Japan’s continued commitment to assist the sustainable growth of ASEAN countries.
Heading towards the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation next year, Japan will enhance cooperation in the areas of maritime cooperation such as maritime traffic safety, assistance for connectivity, healthcare, measures to address climate change and disaster prevention, and cooperation in a wide range of economic areas such as supply chain resilience, digital technology and food security.
The Japanese Prime Minister said that he was very encouraged to know that ASEAN countries and Japan shared the view on the importance of ASEAN-Japan cooperation.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press