The recent meeting welcomed the continued efforts in the implementation of cooperation activities and projects under the Implementation Plan of the 2013 Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

Both sides agreed to further enhancing cooperation in areas of common interests, including trade and investment, tourism, disaster management, health, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, smart cities, cybersecurity, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges and regional post-pandemic recovery.

They also emphasised the need to continue promoting economic cooperation, including through the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

ASEAN appreciated Japan’s support to its efforts in handling COVID-19, including the establishment and operations of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases Centre. The two sides exchanged views on ASEAN, Japan, and global issues, with Japan reaffirming support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Both agreed to strengthen ASEAN-Japan practical cooperation in the four areas outlined in the AOIP, in line with the ASEAN-Japan Joint Statement on Cooperation on AOIP adopted by the leaders in 2020.