ASIATODAY.ID, TOKYO – Japan has launched several new initiatives for the ASEAN region at the ASEAN-Japan Summit, Sunday, December 17 2023.
The first initiative is the Partnership to Co-Create a Future with the Next Generation, namely a cultural introduction program.
“With a commitment value of 15 billion yen or around $105.5 million,” said Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi in a statement quoted Monday, December 18 2023.
Second, ASEAN Japan Co-Creation Initiative for the Next Generation Automotive Industry.
“Japan has prepared funds worth $1 billion to implement a cooperative project to develop an electric vehicle ecosystem in the region,” he said.
Third, the establishment of the Asia Zero Emission Center at the economic research institute Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).
“As a form of support for preparing a road map towards Zero Emissions in the Region,” he said.
Fourth, the Co-Creation for Common Agenda Initiative which will increase collaboration and investment.
“In the fields of connectivity, climate change, strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, start-ups with a commitment value of $35 billion,” he added.
2 Documents, 130 Collaborations
Minister Retno said that the ASEAN-Japan Summit had produced two important documents.
First, the Joint Vision Statement. This is the long-term vision of ASEAN-Japan as trusted partners, based on three main pillars.
“The first pillar, Heart to Heart Partners Across Generations, includes cooperation including youth exchange, culture, sports, science and technology, as well as support for the ASEAN Secretariat,” he said.
Second, Partners for Co-Creation of Economy and Society. In this pillar, cooperation will be carried out in the fields of economics, environment, disaster management and food security, as well as energy transition.
Third, Partners for Peace and Stability. This cooperation is directed at maintaining security stability, including maritime security, and then one of the priorities is also Women and Peace and Security and nuclear non-proliferation.
Meanwhile, the second document is the implementation of the Plan of the Joint Vision Statement. This document contains 130 collaborations from the three main pillars in the Joint Vision Statement.
“Essentially, this is a translation or effort to implement the vision that was conveyed in the first document,” he said.
He emphasized that the two documents would become a reference for the future-oriented ASEAN-Japan partnership.
Retno explained that several priority collaborations that were in Indonesia’s interests were also reflected in the outcome documents.
“Strengthening connectivity through infrastructure investment, accelerating the energy transition by providing affordable funding to achieve net zero emissions, then supporting the development of the EV battery ecosystem in the region to strengthen the global supply chain,” he said.
Also support for the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, as well as the operationalization of the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases in Indonesia. (AT Network)
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