Jakarta: The ASEAN Plus Three (APT) countries have reaffirmed their strong commitment to deepening regional economic integration and maintaining a rules-based multilateral trading system, amid escalating global economic and trade uncertainties.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ASEAN chairman’s statement issued after the 26th APT Foreign Ministers’ Meeting highlighted that the ministers welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on Responding to Global Economic and Trade Uncertainties. The ministers reaffirmed their resolve to provide meaningful impetus to tackle current trade challenges, support necessary World Trade Organisation (WTO) reforms, and promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
The meeting underscored the need to advance or upgrade free trade agreements with external partners, strengthen supply chain resilience, and maximize the utilization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. The ministers noted the progress in implementing the RCEP Agreement and the operationalization of the RCEP Support Unit. This unit provides institutional support to enhance the agreement’s usage by the private sector, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises.
In regional finance, the meeting welcomed the outcomes of the 28th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting, which emphasized the importance of regional financial cooperation through the ASEAN+3 Finance Process. Discussions on establishing a paid-in capital structure were noted, and the ASEAN+3 Fiscal Policy Exchange Initiative introduced in 2025 was welcomed as a potential regular discussion platform.
On digital cooperation, the meeting supported negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), expected to conclude later this year. The ministers acknowledged ongoing support for the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2025 and anticipated sustaining this momentum into the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2030.
Energy security and decarbonization were prioritized, with the meeting reaffirming support for ASEAN’s efforts to accelerate the establishment of the ASEAN Power Grid by 2045. The ministers encouraged adopting and scaling up innovative low-carbon technologies tailored to national circumstances.
The meeting emphasized strengthening dialogue and cooperation to combat transnational crimes and enhance border management through existing APT mechanisms, particularly the APT Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime Consultation. They looked forward to implementing the ASEAN+3 Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime Work Plan on Cooperation to Combat Transnational Crime (2024-2027).
The ministers anticipated the implementation of the ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of Ministries of Foreign Affairs Meeting Work Programme (2023-2027) to promote practical collaboration in transnational crime, immigration, and border management.
The meeting reaffirmed commitments to promoting sustainable agriculture, improving regional health security, and enhancing disaster resilience and climate cooperation.