Jakarta, 11 November 2024 – ASEAN and Germany reiterated their commitment to deepen cooperation at the 8th ASEAN-Germany Development Partnership Committee (AG-DPC) Meeting held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat today.
ASEAN and Germany noted ongoing developments in ASEAN, including the outcomes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits held last month in Vientiane; Lao PDR’s 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” and its priorities for the year; updates on the implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV; progress on the ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative; and ASEAN’s efforts to promote sustainable development. Concurrently, Germany apprised the Meeting on current domestic affairs, efforts in navigating the current international and regional challenges, future economic development and priorities related to climate change, renewable energy and security.
The Meeting reviewed the significant progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-Germany Practical Cooperation Areas (2023-2027) through various activities to date. Both sides acknowledged the need to advance cooperation in key areas such as women and youth entrepreneurs, women empowerment and social inclusion, the ASEAN Smart Cities Network as well as support for Narrowing the Development Gap and Initiative for ASEAN Integration. The Meeting shared the significance of furthering collaboration on the emerging areas of disaster management and humanitarian assistance, technical vocational education and training (TVET), food, agriculture forestry and agroforestry, energy security and energy transition, climate cooperation and environmental protection as well as Artificial Intelligence.
To further maximise the potential of the Development Partnership, the Meeting underlined the need for closer collaboration in areas such as science, technology and innovation including information and communication technology, cybersecurity, culture and people-to-people exchange, as well as youth cooperation and exchange, as well as in supporting the Strategic Plans to Implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Additionally, both sides recognised the need to bolster the promotion and socialisation of the partnership to all stakeholders.
The Meeting also discussed cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as well as exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.
The 8th AG-DPC Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, and H.E. Ina Lepel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to ASEAN. Members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives were in attendance. Timor-Leste participated as Observer.
