PRESS RELEASES

The 6th Joint Meeting between Japanese Task Force on Connectivity and ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee

September 13, 2013

    The 6th Joint Meeting between Japanese Task Force on Connectivity and ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) was held on 28 August, 2013, at the International Convention Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The Japanese delegation was headed by Mr. Hidenao Yanagi, Deputy Director-General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other delegation members included H.E. Mr. Kimihiro ISHIKANE, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as well as representatives of JICA and JBIC. From the ASEAN side, H.E. Ms. Tutiaty Abdul Wahab, Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam was the Chair of ACCC, and other ACCC members and officials from ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat attended the meeting.

    In the meeting, the ASEAN side updated the meeting on the recent efforts and developments in implementing the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), while Japan explained the recent status of implementation of Japan’s Flagship Projects as well as that of Japan’s cooperation related to ASEAN’s Prioritized Projects in the MPAC, including some proposals of new cooperation projects by Japan.

    In addition, with regard to the feasibility study on the Roll-on/Roll-Off (RoRo) Shipping Network which was conducted by JICA, ASEAN Member States concerned gave briefings on their recent efforts to follow up the outcome of the study. Japan also explained the recent developments in implementing the cooperation projects in People-to-People Connectivity such as AUN/SEED-Net Phase III and briefed on the Business Sector’s view on cooperation toward enhancing ASEAN Connectivity. 　Furthermore, Japan and ASEAN discussed about the consideration and preparation of the connectivity issue toward the forthcoming Japan-ASEAN Commemorative Summit this December.

    It is expected that Japan’s public and private sectors will continue to work together to contribute to the strengthening of ASEAN Connectivity through close and continuous dialogues with ASEAN.