JAKARTA, 14 November 2023 – Lao PDR’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund Management Team (ACCFMT) and ASEAN Secretariat jointly organised the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF) Promotion and ASEAN-China Project Development Workshop on 7-9 November in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.
The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of future proponents of ASEAN cooperation projects to develop good and result-based project proposals. Thongphane Savanphet, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Lao PDR’s ASEAN SOM Leader, officially opened the workshop by expressing his appreciation for China’s support in organising this important initiative.
Deputy Minister Thongphane SAVANPHET also stressed the importance of this workshop as it provided an avenue for participants to deepen their knowledge of project formulation, management and reporting, as well as gain a better understanding of ACCF’s role in providing assistance and support for ASEAN regional integration efforts. Deputy Minister further emphasised ACCF’s role in supporting ASEAN flagship programmes and initiatives, especially for Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.”
The Charge d’affairs of China Mission to ASEAN, Fu Fengshan, addressed the Workshop virtually and stated that this year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of a community with a shared future for China and ASEAN through principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness.
He hoped that ACCF will better improve its effectiveness to actively contribute to the development of China-ASEAN relations. Fu also expressed that in the next phase, ACCF could focus on “strengthening connectivity and resilience” theme, to design and implement supporting activities to assist Lao PDR in fulfilling its responsibilities as the next chair of ASEAN in 2024.
He further highlighted ACCF’s support for ASEAN which shall include actively supporting the “Initiative ASEAN Integration” (IAI) and its work plan, implementing feasible projects that are closer to the daily lives of ASEAN people, and promoting activities related to the China-ASEAN Year of Cultural Exchanges. He stressed that these activities shall aim to enhance exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and China in areas such as tourism, culture, and media.
The workshop gathered 54 officials from various line ministries, including representatives from the Permanent Mission of the Lao PDR to ASEAN and ASEAN Department, MFA of the Lao PDR. Participants learned the myriad of ASEAN cooperation projects from ASEAN Secretariat through project proposal development using a results-based management approach.
During the workshop, ACCFMT representatives provided an overview of the fund’s operational mechanisms, appraisal and approval procedures, China’s priorities, and the management team. While the Permanent Mission of the Lao PDR to ASEAN shared information on the roles and responsibilities of the Committee of Permanent Representative to ASEAN in appraising and approving ASEAN Cooperation Project proposals, and facilitating future proponents of ASEAN cooperation projects in Lao PDR.
Moreover, the participants also learned about the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations over three decades, as well as preparations and priorities of Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 presented by representatives from ASEAN Department, MFA of the Lao PDR.
Throughout the three-day workshop, participants developed five drafts of regional project proposals such as promoting better air quality in AMS, effective and efficient cooperation and coordination among AMS to strengthen the ASEAN Centrality, promoting investment in agriculture sector for inclusive growth in AMS, maintaining a sustainable source of food in the Mekong Region and promote the regional (ASEAN) cooperation and increasing the resilience of ASEAN young people in using social media platforms.
Moving forward, the ASEAN Secretariat will continue to coordinate closely with participants through the Lao PDR Mission to ASEAN, as well as the ACCFMT, to explore possibility to further develop draft project proposals presented at the Workshop, to be manifested into fully-fledged projects.
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