JAKARTA, 15 May 2023 – Today, representatives of ASEAN parliamentarians, judiciaries, youth, civil societies, women, business, and professional associations came together for the 7th Forum of Entities Associated with ASEAN hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC).
The highlight of this year’s forum was the interface with the Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn who met face-to-face with the entities for the first time since taking office. Dr Kao expressed that collaboration between ASEC and the entities are among the crucial components to assist the early realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
“It is highly critical that the Secretary-General of ASEAN and ASEC embrace and work closely with the CSOs, especially those in their capacities as ASEAN Entities, to find solutions and ways forward where the socio-cultural elements can better fit into the economic and political-security perspectives,” said Dr Kao. “Such a configuration would bring immense benefits to the folks on the ground, and thereby meet the spirit of ASEAN regional integration,” he concluded.
Opening the forum was Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs Tran Duc Binh who emphasised, “as ASEAN prepares for the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision to develop a comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking ASEAN Community, the anticipated role of the ASEAN Entities is vital.”
“You carry the ASEAN name as you deal with your stakeholders on the ground and your support to bring a positive change in lifestyle to the ASEAN people would further enhance ASEAN’s sustainable development agenda,’’ he further addressed participants. Following DSG’s remarks, the forum kicked off with a roundtable discussion among entities on the theme, ‘’Charting a Sustainable Future for ASEAN.’’
ASEC’s Programme Cooperation and Project Management Division briefed participants on how to manage ASEAN cooperation projects (ACPs) using a results-based management approach, fund disbursements, and reporting. This was an opportunity for the entities to know how they can tap into available resources for their projects and the processes throughout the ASEAN project cycle.
In his closing remarks, Director for Community Affairs Lee Yoong Yoong thanked all participants for their active participation in the programme and expressed hope that the forum will bring stronger cooperation among all stakeholders for a more effective ASEAN Community building efforts.
There are currently 77 entities associated with ASEAN listed in Annex 2 of the ASEAN Charter. The forum continues to serve as a platform to strengthen relations between ASEC, entities, sectoral bodies, ASEAN related centres, and among themselves. This year’s event was supported by the German Federal Government through the GIZ cooperation project.
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