37th ASEAN summit generates 33 documents

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The 37th ASEAN Summit which was held virtually on Thursday (Nov 12) produced 33 documents.

The documents include the Ha Noi Declaration on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, the Ha Noi Declaration on Strengthening Social Network Towards Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community, the ASEAN Declaration on Digital Tourism, the Ha Noi Declaration on the Adoption of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration Work Plan 2021-2025, ASEAN Declaration on the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework, and the Narrative of ASEAN Identity.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi in a written statement on Thursday (Nov 12) said since the beginning of the pandemic, ASEAN has made efforts to respond to this situation, both from in terms of health side and economic cooperation.

“In this summit, all these efforts produce some results, one of which is a commitment of 10 million U.S. dollars for the COVID-19 ASEAN Emergency Response Fund from Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Australia, England, Switzerland, and others,” she noted.

The foreign minister added that the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework also contains strategies to overcome the pandemic, both through cooperation among ASEAN countries, as well as between ASEAN and dialogue partners.

“Within that framework, there are five strategies, namely enhancing health system, strengthening human security, maximizing potential of intra-ASEAN market and broader economic integration, accelerating inclusive digital transformation, and advancing toward a more sustainable and resilient future,” she added.

In addition, the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergency has also been ready, the foreign minister said.

“All ASEAN countries voluntarily contribute health supplies for emergencies according to the WHO’s (World Health Organization) standards. Partner countries can also contribute,” FM Retno said.

Meanwhile, the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework is an initiative of Indonesia specially to regulate essential business travellers with strict protocols, in a bid to support economic recovery.

Indonesia also initiated the Narrative of ASEAN Identity, she added.

“The narrative on ASEAN identity will strengthen the pride and identity of ASEAN nations which will at the same time strengthen the we-feelings of ASEAN,” she said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window