ASEAN, Canada to strengthen cooperation under new Plan of Action
ASEAN and Canada reaffirmed commitment to strengthening cooperation under their new Plan of Action 2021-2025 in areas of mutual interests at the 9th ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting via videoconference.
ASEAN, Canada to strengthen cooperation under new Plan of Action. - Illustrative image (Photo: //asean.org/)
Jakarta (VNA) – ASEAN and Canada reaffirmed commitment to strengtheningcooperation under their new Plan of Action 2021-2025 in areas of mutualinterests at the 9th ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee(JCC) Meeting via videoconference.
ಞ Bothsides highlighted the importance of continuing efforts to effectively implementthe new Plan of Action (2021-2025), adopted at the ASEAN-Canada MinisterialMeeting in September last year.
Inthis spirit, the meeting agreed to deepen collaboration in the areas of tradeand investment; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development; publichealth; innovation including entrepreneurship and start-ups; digital economy;education; gender equality; women, peace and security; and connectivity.
The meetinghighlighted the importance of collaboration towards post COVID-19 recovery, andensuring fair, equitable and global access of vaccines. ASEAN also welcomedCanada’s interest to contribute to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, as well ascooperation through initiatives such as the ASEAN Comprehensive RecoveryFramework.
ASEANalso appreciated Canada’s support to ASEAN Community building and integrationefforts through cooperation programmes such as; the Canada-ASEAN Scholarshipsand Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED); the Canada-OECD Project forASEAN SMEs (COPAS); and the “TRIANGLE in ASEAN initiative” to promote safe andfair labour migration.
🐻 Movingforward, both sides underscored the significance of enhancing economicrelations and looked forward to advancing discussion on a possible ASEAN-CanadaFree Trade Agreement, which is also one of the priority economic deliverablesof Brunei Darussalam’s Chairmanship of ASEAN this year.
Takingnote that next year marks the 45th Anniversary of theASEAN-Canada Dialogue Partnership, Canada looked forward to engaging ASEAN onpotential commemorative events./.
ASEAN and Canada agreed to soon elevate their dialogue relationship to a Strategic Partnership during the ASEAN-Canada Ministerial Meeting held online on September 10 as part of the 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-53).
Vietnam has taken advantage of the opportunity as the ASEAN Chair to become a bridge promoting intra-ASEAN connection as well as links between the bloc with its dialogue partners, a Canadian expert has said.
Vietnam and Canada should utilise the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to which both are signatories, and other free trade agreements (FTAs) to better facilitate bilateral trade and investment ties, Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada Pham Cao Phong has said.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
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The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
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The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
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Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
VAMAF President Datuk Shaharuddin Omar shared the plan at the association’s 103rd anniversary ceremony, noting support from the Vietnam Veterans Association. The initiative is expected to open new markets for Malaysian Halal products and improve livelihoods for its members.
ASEAN, Canada to strengthen cooperation under new Plan of Action. - Illustrative image (Photo: //asean.org/) 
