On 25 May 2023, ASEAN hosted the 70th Meeting of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force at the ASEAN Secretariat. The meeting was attended by all ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste who joined for the first time as an observer.

Chaired by Permanent Representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to ASEAN Ambassador Bovonethat Douangchak, the meeting discussed the implementation status of projects under the IAI Work Plan IV (2021-2025), final assessment of the Outcome Metrics of the previous Work Plan III and the findings of the Follow-Up Monitor of the ASEAN Framework for Equitable Economic Development (AFEED). The meeting also accredited seven new IAI projects. The IAI Task Force provides overall leadership and direction for IAI and undertakes regular reviews to ensure effective implementation of the IAI Work Plan.

For more information on the IAI, please visit https://asean.org/our-communities/initiative-for-asean-integration-narrowing-development-gap-iai-ndg/