Participant at the meeting (Photo: https://asean.org/)The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Secretary-General for ASEANPolitical-Security Community Michael Tene, and Head of the Asia-PacificDivision of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the SwissConfederation Heinrich Schellenberg.
Noting the progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-SwitzerlandSectoral Dialogue Partnership: Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2017-2021, themeeting underscored both sides’ commitment to effectively implement the new PCA2022-2026. The latest PCA will continue to set out the overall framework andpriorities for the ASEAN-Switzerland cooperation in the next five years.
ASEAN and Switzerland explored opportunities to further deepen cooperation in anumber of important areas such as energy; tourism; science, technology andinnovation; digital integration and e-commerce; cyber security; smart cities;biodiversity, environmental protection, climate change and circular economy;sustainable development; and public health.
They also exchanged views on the developments in ASEAN and Switzerland,including ASEAN’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable developmentagenda, and a number of regional and international issues. The meeting notedkey outcomes of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits held inPhnom Penh, Cambodia, and the theme and priorities of Indonesia’s Chairmanshipof ASEAN in 2023.
The meeting highlighted that in implementing the PCA 2017-2021, Switzerlandcontributed nearly CHF30 million to support joint cooperative projects andactivities between ASEAN and Switzerland in a range of areas including goodgovernance, human rights, and peace processes; food, agriculture, and forestry;economic cooperation; education; women empowerment; rights and welfare ofmigrant workers; disaster management and humanitarian assistance; environment;and sustainable development.
In 2022, Switzerland has supported cooperation projects and activities withASEAN in cyber security, mine action, and biotrade, among many others./.
Members of theCommittee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and their respectivedelegations as well as Ambassador-designate of Switzerland to ASEAN, OlivierZehnder, and the Swiss delegation were also in attendance./.
VNA
