Philippines Supports Collective Action on Emerging Concerns at ASEAN’s First Joint Consultative Meeting for 2022

DFA Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Daniel R. Espiritu delivers the interventions at the Joint Consultative Meeting held on 20 April 2022 via videoconference. (DFA-ASEAN photo)

PASAY CITY 05 May 2022 – DFA Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Daniel R. Espiritu joined the first ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting (JCM) under Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year, held on 20 April 2022 via video conference. The meeting was chaired by Madame EAT Sophea, Cambodia’s Secretary of State and Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader.

The SOM Leaders from the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillars discussed various issues which centered on updates on ASEAN priorities and the progress of the Chair’s deliverables for 2022, ASEAN Connectivity, and Cross-Sectoral and Cross-Pillar Coordination. Updates on ASEAN Partnerships with Sectoral Dialogue Partners and Development Partners, as well as progress under the ASEAN SHIELD Initiative were also discussed.

"The Philippines is pleased to note the key deliverables which Cambodia has identified under its Chairmanship of ASEAN this year, which includes climate change and biodiversity, regional plan of action on Women, Peace, and Security and online child protection, frameworks on promoting digital start-up in ASEAN, sustainable tourism development, as well as supporting the cultural and creative economy, among others." Assistant Secretary Espiritu added that the Philippines "view[s] this as a recognition of emerging concerns that warrant the collective attention and action by ASEAN. "

The meeting participants also welcomed the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) for the ASEAN Community Post-2025 Vision, which was held on 31 March-01 April 2022. The HLTF  was urged to keep the core elements visionary, innovative, and strategic to help ASEAN Leaders see through the challenges ASEAN is facing.

The JCM is a bi-annual ASEAN mechanism undertaken at the SOM level to provide updates on the Chair’s priorities for the year and discuss programs and deliverables of ASEAN across all pillars. END

The Philippines joins other ASEAN Member States in the 1st Joint Consultative Meeting in 2022. (DFA-ASEAN photo)