Indonesia urges expansion of ASEAN Plus Three cooperation innovation

… innovation must become the core of our collective endeavours.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono affirmed the importance of continuous innovation within ASEAN Plus Three (APT) to ensure the cooperation strategy remains relevant to today’s challenges.

At the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in the Philippines on Thursday (23 July), Foreign Minister Sugiono said APT had produced various concrete cooperation measures and proven that such collaboration is the region’s greatest strength.

“The continued relevance of ASEAN Plus Three will depend on its ability to adapt, innovate and deliver concrete results. For that reason, innovation must become the core of our collective endeavours,” Sugiono said in the ministerial speech published by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

Cooperation must therefore be able to catch up with and address challenges occurring now and in the future.

Foreign Minister Sugiono highlighted the success of ASEAN Plus Three food resilience cooperation, which has so far been achieved through the Emergency Rice Reserve.

He encouraged expanding that success to other sectors, such as agricultural innovation, strengthening food supply chains and diversifying food reserves.

Indonesia also welcomed the progress made through the initiative, particularly the implementation of the Rapid Financing Facility (RFF) and support for the financial structure roadmap.

“Reforms such as these will accelerate access to funding through the Chiang Mai Initiative and ensure effective utilisation during crises,” Sugiono said.

“As ASEAN works to advance the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, ASEAN Plus Three also has an important role in strengthening ASEAN-led cooperation,” Sugiono added.

ASEAN Plus Three was established in 1997 as a vehicle for cooperation between ASEAN countries and three East Asian partners: China, Japan and South Korea.