ASIATODAY.ID, VIENTIANE – Southeast Asian (ASEAN) countries met again with the United Nations (UN) at the 14th Summit between ASEAN and the UN at the National Convention Center, Vientiane, Laos, Friday, 11 October 2024.
The meeting was co-chaired by Laotian Prime Minister (PM) Sonexay Sipandhone and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma’ruf Amin again led the Indonesian Delegation at this Summit accompanied by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto.
ASEAN and the UN reflect cooperation in the political, legal and security, economic, as well as social and cultural fields through a partnership that began in 1997, based on the 2021-2025 ASEAN and UN cooperation plan. In the last decade, this partnership has become increasingly dynamic and grown stronger in an effort to mutually support the achievement of the ASEAN Vision 2025 and Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
In September 2024, the UN just held the 79th UN General Assembly Session in New York, USA.
All State Leaders who attended the conference realized that the world is currently experiencing an alarming condition.
“Multilateralism, the spirit of collaboration and respect for international law are under enormous threat. “One example is what is experienced by Palestine,” stressed Ma’ruf Amin.
For this reason, it is hoped that the new pact will provide new hope, including for future generations. Furthermore, Ma’ruf also reminded that the next challenge is how all countries in the world implement the contents of the Pact.
All ASEAN countries used the opportunity to meet with the UN to renew their commitment and support from the UN in supporting multilateral cooperation that is more constructive and effective and complies with international law. This collaboration will be expanded to all sectors, such as climate change, digital economy, disaster management, gender equality, food security, health and cyber security.
ASEAN and the UN need to update the action plan which will end in 2025 and align it with the ASEAN Vision 2045 and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 through active cooperation between agencies on both sides. Global trust and solidarity need to be built and enhanced.
“The ASEAN-UN partnership must be used to support efforts to strengthen mutual trust and global solidarity as stated in the Pact for the Future,” said Ma’ruf.
Ma’ruf Amin also emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation between ASEAN and the UN.
“It is time for the UN to have a representative for ASEAN based in Jakarta to coordinate cooperation between all UN agencies and ASEAN,” concluded Ma’ruf.
On this occasion, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and handling urgent global issues such as climate change, economic inequality and social inequality.
“This UN collaboration encourages progress towards achieving the SDGs while exploring innovative solutions to help the Government realize inclusive economic growth, green and low carbon development, and digital transformation,” said Airlangga. (AT Network)
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