News Focus – ASEAN, PIF, and IORA forge stronger ties to advance regional cooperation

The ASEAN-IORA and ASEAN-PIF Dialogue have committed to promoting collaboration in several key areas, including maritime cooperation, connectivity, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, blue economy, people-to-people exchanges, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as digital and green economies.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The ASEAN-IORA and ASEAN-PIF Dialogue under the theme ‘Implementing Collective Commitment to Establish Cooperation’ took place at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday (Sept. 19).

The one-day event explored concrete actions in line with the cooperation areas outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between the ASEAN-IORA and ASEAN-PIF signed in Jakarta on September 4, 2023, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a written statement quoted by Indonesia Window on Sunday.

Under these MoUs, ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) have committed to promoting collaboration in several key areas, including maritime cooperation, connectivity, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, blue economy, people-to-people exchanges, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as digital and green economies.

In his opening remarks, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Director General for ASEAN Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, highlighted that the MoU signings last year have provided ASEAN, PIF, and IORA with a solid foundation for advancing regional cooperation.

As these regions are geographically connected and face common challenges, cooperation on maritime and blue economy initiatives is more critical than ever, he noted, emphasizing the need to focus on digital and green economies, sustainable development, and job creation amid rapid global economic shifts.

He pointed out that strengthening people-to-people connections is equally important for fostering deeper ties among communities and having a lasting impact on our citizens’ daily lives.

“With 47 member countries and nearly 4 billion people, we are a significant force. Our focus is practical, focusing on the development of economic growth and enhancing the well-being of our people. However, we also have a strategic outlook, strengthening solidarity among developing nations in the Indo-Pacific and positioning ourselves to achieve tangible gains in an increasingly complex regional and global environment.,” Suryodipuro said.

Nararya Soeprapto, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, in his welcoming remarks, underscored the significance of this dialogue as a follow-up to the MoU signings between ASEAN-IORA and ASEAN-PIF, stressing that the ASEAN Secretariat is fully prepared to support efforts to translate the MoUs into practical, feasible, and tangible projects that would benefit the people of the region.

Meanwhile, Esala Nayasi, Deputy Secretary General for Strategic Policy and Programming at the PIF in his remarks said, ASEAN and PIF share common challenges in unique contexts.

The signing of the MoU between ASEAN and PIF in 2023 marked a significant step toward addressing common regional issues, such as SDGs 2030, people-to-people exchanges, disaster risk reduction, and humanitarian assistance, he added, while expressing optimism about further developing a mutually beneficial framework for cooperation.

Similarly, Amanda Aspden, Director of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), emphasized that both ASEAN and IORA have their respective outlooks on the Indo-Pacific.

She explained that the dialogue offers a critical opportunity for both organizations to develop strategic partnerships to address shared challenges, particularly in areas identified in the MoU.

She stressed that the dialogue paved the way for closer engagement and collaboration to build a region characterized by peace, security, stability, inclusivity, and sustainability.

During the discussion session, speakers and participants from ASEAN, PIF, and IORA shared perspectives on the practical implementation of cooperation in the identified areas, exploring specific opportunities for joint projects and initiatives to enhance regional resilience and connectivity.

Several ‘quick win’ projects were proposed, including sharing best practices, experiences, and capacity-building initiatives in the blue and green economies, the digital economy, disaster risk reduction, and connectivity.

Participants representing a diverse range of stakeholders attended the ASEAN Hall, including ASEAN sectoral bodies, academics, and representatives from various ministries and government agencies.

ASEAN entities, think tanks, and non-governmental organizations were also in attendance. The interactive dialogue provided a platform for participants from various backgrounds to share their insights and expertise.

This diversity of perspectives significantly enriched the discussions, fostering a collaborative atmosphere and generating proposed actionable projects.​

Reporting by Indonesia Window