JAKARTA, 26 November 2019 – The ASEAN Integration Report (AIR) 2019 was officially launched today, following its online release earlier this month. Supported by the ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the European Union (ARISE-Plus) facility, the launch event brought together stakeholders of the ASEAN Community and was livestreamed to ensure wider outreach of the Report.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Kung Phoak welcomed the timely release of the Report as the region approaches the mid-term mark of the 2025 Blueprint implementation, and at a time where the global context of the region’s integration is significantly changing. He highlighted that “there has never been a more exciting time than now for ASEAN. Amidst the changing global environment, the region has become a recognisable middle power, and the challenge for the region is to maintain this positive momentum.

The EU Ambassador to ASEAN Igor Driesmans commended the recommendations of the Report in his opening remarks.

AIR 2019 is a flagship publication of the ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate (AIMD) of the ASEAN Secretariat. It presents a comprehensive assessment of the progress and achievements of the ASEAN economic integration since the adoption of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 in 2015. It also features a thematic chapter on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, one of key emerging issues prioritised by ASEAN.

The Report highlights that four years into the implementation of the AEC Blueprint 2025, ASEAN economic integration has borne results in a number of areas but overall remains a work in progress. There is a need for ASEAN to deepen and broaden intra-ASEAN trade and investment linkages, while simultaneously keeping markets open through strengthened partnerships with economies around the world. It likewise indicates the need for ASEAN to be a more proactive global player.

Last but not least, the Report underscores the need for ASEAN to prepare itself for the future, including in the context of the fourth industrial revolution and sustainability considerations.

The AIR 2019 provides prelude to the ASEAN Economic Community mid-term review, which would be one of the priorities of Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship.

The ASEAN Integration Report 2019 can be downloaded from: here