(20-5-2022, Nay Pyi Taw)

U Chan Aye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations: ASEAN-China Cooperation in Advancing the Global Development Initiative (GDI) which was held via videoconference on 20 May 2022 at 08:30 hrs.

Jakarta Forum was co-hosted by Permanent Missions of Myanmar and China to ASEAN in cooperation with Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) and was attended by officials from respective Ministries in ASEAN and China, scholars and experts in the field of development cooperation, as well as representatives from the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), ASEAN Secretariat and relevant United Nations agencies.

At the Forum, Permanent Secretary delivered the opening remarks. Assistant Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Senior Ambassador for ASEAN Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN also made their opening remarks. Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Head of the Statistical Data Management Unit, Statistics Division, UN-ESCAP also made their keynote presentations.

Permanent Secretary, in his opening remarks, expressed appreciation to China for the initiative and to co-hosts of the forum, Chinese and Myanmar Missions in Jakarta, as well as to Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia for its support. He highlighted that the global economic recovery is facing significant headwinds, including new waves of COVID-19 infections, persistent labour market challenges, lingering supply chain disruptions, and rising inflationary pressures and therefore, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is confronted with new challenges. In addressing these challenges, he called for collaboration and effective regional and multilateral cooperation. He encouraged the participants to explore possible recommendations for practical cooperation between ASEAN and China under GDI based on ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework accelerating ASEAN’s efforts to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

In panel discussion, the participants exchanged ideas and knowledge on the concept of the Global Development Initiative and explore the possible ways that GDI can complement the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework bringing opportunities to ASEAN Member States and China to work together in delivering sustainable economic development in the region.