Philippines Calls for Stronger Cooperation to Improve Quality of Life at Roundtable on ASEAN-Japan Relations

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for the Office of ASEAN Affairs and ASEAN-Philippines Director-General Junever M. Mahilum-West called for strengthened cooperation and vigilance in implementing initiatives and projects for the improvement of the quality of life in the region. (DFA-ASEAN photo)

MANILA 26 July 2021 – Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for the Office of ASEAN Affairs and ASEAN-Philippines Director-General Junever M. Mahilum-West headed the Philippine Delegation during the High-level Roundtable on “ASEAN-Japan: Reviewing the Journey travelled, towards the 50th Anniversary of Dialogue Partnership” that was held via video conference on 21 July 2021.

The Meeting reviewed the progress of ASEAN-Japan relations through the years, and took stock of opportunities to deepen these relations in preparation for the Golden Jubilee of ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations in 2023.

The Philippines led the discussions on strengthening cooperation towards promoting the improvement of quality of life in both regions, encouraging Japan to support initiatives focused on digital transformation in cybersecurity, higher education, and human capital development, flexible learning, digital learning, and e-learning.

“We are beyond grateful not just for the mutually beneficial partnership that ASEAN and Japan shared over the years but also for the friendship we have established which brought us significant progress and extensive outcomes in all areas of cooperation,” Assistant Secretary Mahilum-West emphasized.

She thanked Japan for its support for the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and its pledge to contribute USD 1 million to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund (CARF).

In response, the newly-appointed Senior Deputy Minister and SOM Leader of Japan to ASEAN H.E. Yamada Shigeo reaffirmed that Japan will do its utmost to cooperate with ASEAN in achieving peace, stability, freedom, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region.

The Meeting also called for mutual assistance in narrowing development gaps in the region, ensuring gender and social inclusion, preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and addressing the challenges brought by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. AMS officials noted Japan’s vital role in bridging development gaps through people-to-people exchanges and human resources development, and encouraged Japan to continue its support for the implementation of Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV. END

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Office of ASEAN Affairs and Philippines Director-General Junever M. Mahilum-West (leftmost, center) heads the Philippine Delegation in a high-level roundtable meeting with ASEAN Officials and the ASEAN Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Political Security Community Robert Matheus, Tene, H.E Chiba Akira, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN and H.E. Yamada Shigeo, Senior Deputy Minister and SOM Leader of Japan (DFA-ASEAN photo)