Asean remains committed to multilateral cooperation
Asean remains commi ed to multilateral cooperation and recognises the critical role of the private sector in the bloc’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) economic recovery plan, the Asean secretary-general revealed at a recent webinar hosted by CIMB Asean Research Institute (Cari).
July 6, 2020
KUCHING: Asean remains committed to multilateral cooperation and recognises the critical role of the private sector in the bloc’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) economic recovery plan, the Asean secretary-general revealed at a recent webinar hosted by CIMB Asean Research Institute (Cari).
Cari hosted the Cari Briefings webinar, recently, under its Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan Series, titled ‘ How Can Asean Bounce Back: Can the Asean Economic Community Retain its Vision in a Post-Pandemic World?’. The session featured Asean Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi.
Moderated by Cari chairman Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid, the discussion centred on what Asean is doing to sustain the economies of member countries, its regional response and coordination towards a robust post-pandemic recovery and efforts to sustain momentum to achieve its vision.
Lim began his session by stressing the significance of the region’s early commitment to cooperate instead of turning inward amid the pandemic.
“Asean will continue to work together, including with external partners and partner institutions. This demonstrates Asean’s commitment to multilateral cooperation to effectively address the expansive implications of this unprecedented threat,” he said.
The spread and impact of the pandemic knows no boundaries, hence a coordinated response and closer cooperation is required even more. Asean has taken steps to work together, among member states as well as dialogue partners.
The bloc held its 36th Asean Summit virtually and adopted a vision statement, which recognises the social and economic repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic and reaffirmed Asean Leaders’ strong commitment to sustain the momentum of Asean community building.
Asean Leaders also announced the establishment of a Covid-19 Asean Response Fund and the development of a comprehensive recovery plan.
“Coordination for reopening and post-pandemic recovery is critical given the region’s high level of economic integration and interconnectedness.
“The private sector will play an integral role in these efforts, to restore employment, business confidence, and in working towards a swift and strong recovery,” Lim commented.
At the 36th Summit recently, Asean recognised the crucial role of the private sector in postpandemic economic recovery, and aimed to foster cross-pillar and cross-sectoral collaboration within Asean as well as with relevant stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response to the pandemic.
Earlier, the Asean Business Advisory Council has proposed for the regional bloc to set up an Asean High-Level Special Commission (AHLSC) to expedite the decision-making process with regard to the region’s postpandemic recovery plan.
Asean will continue to work together, including with external partners and partner institutions. Dato Lim Jock Hoi
The mechanism on how to move forward with the proposal is under discussion to avoid overlaps with the existing Asean mechanism.
Lim noted the unprecedented health and socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic but highlighted the opportunity presented for the region to reassess its path.
“Asean post-pandemic recovery is an opportunity for the region to recalibrate its growth trajectory to one that is more resilient, digitally-enabled, inclusive, and sustainable,” Lim said.
Among the most striking trend is the acceleration of digital technology adoption during the pandemic, which offered added impetus and urgency for Asean to embrace new technologies and address the digital divide across and within Asean member states.
The opportunity to recalibrate growth comes at the midway point of the second Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 as Asean goes through the Mid-term Review this year to evaluate its past progress and plan for the future.
The region is also at a critical period given the commencement of the development of a consolidated strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the final preparation stage of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ( RCEP) towards its signing.
In summing up the session, Dr Munir expressed confidence in Lim’s leadership and conveyed the hopes of the private sector of an effective Asean response towards the economic challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi is in many ways in the hot seat of Asean response to the Covid-19 health and economic crisis.
“Asean is fortunate to have him heading the secretariat at this time.
Well experienced particularly on the economy at the highest levels he can well handle the pressures and challenges Asean faces.
“The business sector, particularly, looks forward to working with him to fashion rapid Asean responses in these unprecedented times in global history,” he remarked.