The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee recently convened in Abu Dhabi to discuss efforts to enhance the strategic partnership between the UAE and ASEAN. This comes after the UAE’s accession to the association as a sectoral dialogue partner in 2022. Chaired by Malaysia’s Ambassador to the UAE, Ahmad Fadil bin Haji Shamsuddin, the meeting with Ahmed Al Sayegh, minister of state, underscored the importance of joint projects and initiatives outlined in the UAE-ASEAN action plan for 2024-2028.
Ambassadors from Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand participated in the meeting. Moreover, the ambassadors of Brunei Darussalam, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the Philippines also took part.
Exploring joint projects
The committee meeting provided a platform to explore various joint projects and initiatives within the Sectoral Dialogue Partnership. Discussions revolved around developing projects with the UAE that aim to foster action-driven cooperation agendas with the ASEAN secretariat. Moreover, the committee emphasized the importance of the UAE’s participation and cooperation in multiple vital sectors. This includes the fields of economy, trade, investment, climate change and clean energy.
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Engagement and collaboration
Both parties exchanged views on ongoing ASEAN projects, highlighting the significance of the UAE’s engagement to expand cooperation. For his part, Al Sayegh expressed appreciation for ASEAN’s cooperation in activating the UAE’s role as a sectoral dialogue partner. Moreover, he reiterated the UAE’s commitment to implementing the UAE-ASEAN action plan for 2024-2028 and underscored the leadership’s keenness to advance strategic partnerships between the two parties.
ASEAN committee meetings in Abu Dhabi are slated to occur twice a year. It will serve as a platform to follow up on common goals and track the progress between the UAE and ASEAN. Hence, the commitment to deepening cooperation and strengthening strategic partnerships remains the focal point, as both sides work towards realizing the full potential of their collaboration in various fields.
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