Delegates at the 11th ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Cooperation Committee (ANZJCC) Meeting (Photo: asean.org)Jakarta (VNA) – ASEAN and New Zealandreaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation through theimplementation of the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (2021-2025) at the11th ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Cooperation Committee (ANZJCC) Meeting heldat the ASEAN Secretariat on March 25.
The meeting was co-chaired by Permanent Representative ofBrunei to ASEAN Ambassador Latifah Zaini and Ambassador of NewZealand to ASEAN Stuart Calman.
Both sides welcomed the progress made thus far inthe implementation of the Plan of Action and recognised New Zealand’scommitment to support ASEAN centrality through active participation inASEAN-led mechanisms including cooperation activities under the fourthemes stipulated in the Plan of Action – Peace, Prosperity, People, andPlanet.
Both sides looked forward to the conclusion of thenegotiation to upgrade the agreement to establish the ASEAN-Australia-NewZealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and called for the effectiveimplementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)Agreement to further enhance existing economic cooperation. The meeting alsolooked forward to the progress in the negotiation of the Regional AirServices Agreement between the ASEAN Member States (AMS) and New Zealand.
The two sides noted the importance of enhancingcooperation in the four key areas outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on theIndo-Pacific (AOIP) and in other areas such as counter-terrorism andcombatting trafficking in person; maritime cooperation; human rights;trade, investment, and digital economy; micro, small, and mediumenterprises (MSMEs); food security and safety; halal products;people-to-people initiatives; education; Technical and VocationalEducation and Training (TVET); and public health and mental health.
Recognising New Zealand’s role in addressingclimate change, the meeting acknowledged the need to enhance cooperationin renewable energy; climate-smart agriculture; sustainable development,bio-circular, and green economy; transport, infrastructure, andconnectivity; smart cities; along with the support for the Initiative forASEAN Integration and sub-regional development.
Both sides alsolooked forward to further discussing initiatives and activitiesto commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand DialogueRelations in 2025.
With the reopening of international borders, themeeting looked forward to the resumption of people-to-people flagshipinitiatives such as the English Language Training for Officials,Short-term Training Scholarships for Officials, ASEAN Young DiplomatsStudy Tour of New Zealand and ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative.
In addition, the meeting welcomed the inauguralbatch of the ASEAN Trade Academy initiated by New Zealand which isscheduled to commence on May 1./.
