TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Initiative for ASEAN Integration Task Force and Ambassadors and representatives from the ASEAN Dialogue Partners and External Parties kicked off its inaugural meeting to deliberate on mobilizing resources for and contribution to the implementation of the IAI Work Plan II (2009-2015).
Initiated as a new format by current IAI Task Force Chair Viet Nam, the meeting serves to share information among IAI stakeholders to foster a better understanding of the available resources for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV) and determines the approaches to improve delivery of IAI activities.
“ASEAN highly values the interest, participation and contribution of the Dialogue Partners and External Parties to its programmes, especially the IAI. It is necessary that a forum be created to allow an open discussion to raise any issue of concern that will help promote the mutual interest of all stakeholders,” said IAI Task Force Chair H.E. Mr. Vu Dang Dzung, Permanent Representative of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to ASEAN.
The meeting also welcomed representatives from Australia, People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, United States of America and the is seeking to heighten their engagement with ASEAN, particularly with the CLMV countries through the Lower Mekong Initiative. Similar responses were also received from China and the Republic of Korea who have immediately found a strong interest in the IAI to help build capacity of CLMV officials at the sectoral level.
The Initiative for ASEAN Integration was launched by the ASEAN Heads of State at their Summit in 2000 with the objectives of Narrowing the Development Gap and accelerating economic integration in the newer members of ASEAN which are Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam.
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