JAKARTA, 16 March 2023 – The 69th Meeting of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force was held today at the ASEAN Secretariat to review the implementation status of projects under the IAI Work Plan IV (2021-2025).

Ambassador Bovonethat Douangchak, Permanent Representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to ASEAN and Chair of the IAI Task Force for 2023, opened the meeting by conveying his appreciation to Cambodia for the excellent Chairmanship in 2022. He also encouraged ASEAN Member States to continue to leverage efforts in addressing challenges that hamper regional integration in ASEAN.  

The meeting also accredited 17 new projects as IAI projects and exchanged views on the findings of the Follow-Up Monitor of the ASEAN Framework for Equitable Economic Development presented by the Asian Development Bank.

IAI Task Force members from all ASEAN Member States and representatives from the Initiative for ASEAN Integration and Narrowing the Development Gap Division of the ASEAN Secretariat participated in the meeting.

The IAI Task Force was established to narrow the development gap in ASEAN mainly by providing assistance to the newer member states – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam – commonly referred to as CLMV. Task Force members meet thrice a year to oversee and provide strategic guidance to the 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/

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