IDXChannel - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) have committed to promoting collaboration in several key areas.

The key areas are, among others, maritime cooperation, connectivity, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, blue economy, people-to-people exchanges, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as digital and green economies.

The ASEAN-IORA and ASEAN-PIF Dialogue took place at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday (19/9/2024). The one-day event explored concrete actions in line with the cooperation areas outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between the ASEAN-IORA and ASEAN-PIF signed in Jakarta last year.

“With 47 member countries and nearly 4 billion people, we are a significant force," Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Director General for ASEAN Cooperation at theIndonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a media release.

"Our focus is practical, focusing on the development of economic growth and enhancing the well-being of our people. But we also have a strategic outlook, strengthening solidarity among developing nations in the Indo-Pacific and positioning ourselves to achieve tangible gains in an increasingly complex regional and global environment," he said.

As these regions are geographically connected and face common challenges, cooperation on maritime and blue economy initiatives is more critical than ever.

He emphasized the need to focus on digital and green economies, sustainable development, and job creation amid rapid global economic shifts. Strengthening people-to-people connections, he added, is equally important for fostering deeper ties among communities and having a lasting impact on citizens' daily lives. (Wahyu Dwi Anggoro)