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PH SOM Leader Participates in Inaugural ASEAN-UK Senior Officials’ Meeting

ASEAN UK Senior Officials Meeting 1

ASEAN and UK SOM Leaders with ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political Security Community doing the ASEAN handshake. (London PE photo)

LONDON 14 July 2022 – The inaugural ASEAN-United Kingdom Senior Officials’ Meeting (ASEAN-UK SOM) was convened in London on 06 July 2022, the first since the conferment of ASEAN Dialogue Partner status to the United Kingdom in August 2021.

ASEAN and UK SOM Leaders agreed to continue to enhance existing cooperation while exploring new areas for collaboration, including on counter-terrorism and violent extremism, cybersecurity, transnational crimes, maritime security, digital integration, environment and climate change, food security, sustainable infrastructure, connectivity, people-to-people exchanges and public health.

They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern including the South China Sea and the situation in Ukraine.

With the Philippines being the country coordinator for ASEAN-UK economic relations, Philippine SOM Leader Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro led the discussion on ASEAN-UK economic cooperation, specifically on digital integration, energy security and food security.

UK SOM Leader and Director-General of the Indo-Pacific Directorate at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Jenny Bates expressed confidence that the outcomes of the 1st ASEAN-UK SOM will contribute to stronger cooperation and partnership between ASEAN and the UK in the coming years. END

ASEAN UK Senior Officials Meeting 2

Philippine SOM Leader Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro briefs the body on shared priorities and ambitions on economic cooperation between ASEAN and UK. (London PE photo)

ASEAN UK Senior Officials Meeting 3

Philippine SOM Leader Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro delivering an intervention at the 1st ASEAN-UK Senior Officials' Meeting. (London PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.londonpe.dfa.gov.ph,  or https://www.facebook.com/pg/PHLinUK, https://twitter.com/philippinesinuk, or https://www.instagram.com/philippinesinuk/.