JAKARTA, 7 NOVEMBER 2024 – ASEAN and the United Arab Emirates reaffirmed their commitment to advancing their sectoral dialogue partnership at the 2nd ASEAN-United Arab Emirates Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (JSCC) Meeting held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat today.
At the meeting, officials from both sides exchanged views on developments in ASEAN and the UAE, and reviewed cooperation between both sides. The meeting noted the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-UAE Sectoral Dialogue Partnership: Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2024-2028, which serves as a practical guide to further substantiate the partnership with a focus on areas of mutual interest and benefit. Further, the meeting shared the view that the effective implementation of the PCA will contribute to the further enhancement of cooperation between ASEAN and the UAE.
The meeting also took note of achievements of Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2024; progress on the ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative; the implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV; and ASEAN’s effort to promote sustainable development.
Both sides also deliberated on ways to deepen the ASEAN-UAE cooperation in areas such as climate change and environment, health, sustainable finance and investment, people-to-people exchanges, including interfaith dialogue and facilitation of skilled labour, trade and investment, digitalisation, sustainable agriculture and infrastructure, renewable energy and energy transition, halal food industry, food security, education, science, technology and innovation, cybersecurity, disaster management, youth, culture, tourism and ASEAN Connectivity initiatives).
The meeting highlighted the ongoing discussion between ASEAN and the UAE on the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage initiative, which aligns with ASEAN’s decarbonisation targets, and invited the UAE to join and support the multilateral-led efforts in advancing the ASEAN Power Grid. The meeting noted the presentation by the Abu Dhabi Ports, the UAE’s global trade, logistics and transport operator of ports and terminals, and opportunities for cooperation in areas such as decarbonisation of ports. The meeting also noted the presentation by IFFCO, the UAE’s strategic partner in food security, which is aimed at strengthening ASEAN-UAE private sector engagement, expanding business contact and opportunities in the ASEAN region, as well as capacity building support for sustainable agriculture development.
The meeting encouraged the UAE to initiate and undertake projects/programmes/ activities with ASEAN that are of regional in nature, especially since the UAE has become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 2022. The meeting further encouraged the UAE to establish a special trust fund with ASEAN that is dedicated to support the implementation of the PCA.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community, Satvinder Singh, and Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to ASEAN, Abdulla Salem Obaid Salem AlDhaheri. Members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives and their respective delegations were also in attendance. Representative from Timor-Leste attended as Observer.
