ASEAN and UAE Reinforce Partnership to Drive Regional Growth and Sustainable Development

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) declared their renewed interest in strengthening and deepening their collaboration in the region at the 3rd Meeting of the ASEAN-UAE Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee in Jakarta. The two sides checked the progress in terms of Sectoral Dialogue Partnership: Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2024-2028 that covers key areas of trade, investment, the digital economy, tourism, and sustainable agriculture. The conversation demonstrated the increasing interest of the UAE in Southeast Asia and redefined a mutual goal of achieving peace, prosperity, and regional integration by having an inclusive and far-sighted partnership. Get the latest stories and insights on our Gulf Independent News page.

Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Collaboration

The gathering was dedicated to the progress in various fields of cooperation, such as maritime security, peacebuilding, and humanitarian activities. Both parties looked into the progress as outlined in the Initiative to ASEAN Integration (IAI) and the Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) programs, which are an attempt to create inclusiveness in the region. Aspiring to the long-term agenda of ASEAN, which ASEAN Vision 2045 presents, and strategic plans that include ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (ACSP) and IAI Work Plan V are also mentioned in ASEAN, ASEAN invited the UAE to remain committed to its long-term agenda. The deliberations strengthened a shared concern on sustainability, inclusive development, and stronger people-to-people relationship.

Exploring Future Opportunities for Growth

The exploration of new spheres of cooperation between ASEAN and the UAE was also conducted in the new aspects of governance, women empowerment, social welfare and poverty reduction. They decided to increase cooperation in the areas of finance, digitalization, e-commerce, and smart-city, based on the achievements achieved during the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. The meeting, which was co-chaired by the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN Economic Community and the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia, also saw both sides reiterating their resolve to strengthen their cooperation that would enable sustainable development that is inclusive of all the region.