ASEAN Leaders Endorse Post-2025 Vision; High-Level Task Force Proceeds with ASEAN Strategic Plans

Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso (2nd from left, 1st row) and Ambassador Luis T. Cruz (2nd from left, 2nd row), the Philippines’ Eminent Person and High-Level Representative to the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV), respectively, at the 11th Meeting of the HLTF-ACV, Jakarta. (Photo: ASEAN Secretariat)

JAKARTA 16 October 2023 – Following the ASEAN Leaders’ endorsement of the draft ASEAN Community Vision 2045 at the 43rd ASEAN Summit on 5 September 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia, the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV), at the 11th HLTF-ACV Meeting on 10-11 October 2023 in Jakarta, agreed to fast-track the development of the Strategic Plans of the ASEAN Community Pillars as well as a Strategic Plan on Connectivity.

The HLTF-ACV adopted the Philippines’ proposal to name the attendant documents of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (ACV2045) “Strategic Plans”, and adopted the format proposed by the Philippines to reflect the strategic and visionary character of the document. Formerly called ASEAN Community Blueprints, the Strategic Plans 2025-2045 will serve as a guide for ASEAN in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Taking into consideration the lessons learned in the creation and the on-going implementation of the ASEAN Community Blueprints, the Philippines highlighted the significance of monitoring and evaluation, and cross-pillar coordination in the development and implementation of the Strategic Plans.

Ambassador Buensuceso (Right) and Ambassador Cruz (left) discussing the development of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 Strategic Plans (Photo: ASEAN Secretariat)

“One glaring observation common to all the Blueprints is addressing the issue of coordination across all pillars and sectors. How do we ensure cross-pillar and cross-sectoral coordination in our Strategic Plans?”, said Ambassador Buensuceso. She then suggested ways to address these gaps, including built-in coordination mechanisms.

The Strategic Plans will identify specific goals, objectives, action plans, and performance measures, among others. The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans take into account megatrends and challenges, such as climate change, digital transformation, and major power rivalries, among others, that will confront ASEAN in the coming years. It will be adopted by the Leaders in 2025. END