(AseanAll) —  ASEAN and Italy reiterated their commitment to deepen cooperation at the 4th ASEAN-Italy Development Partnership Committee (AI-DPC) Meeting held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on 28 November 2024.

ASEAN and Italy noted ongoing developments in ASEAN, including the outcomes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits held last month in Vientiane; Lao PDR’s 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” and its priorities for the year; updates on the implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV; progress on the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) initiative; ASEAN’s efforts to promote sustainable development; and Malaysia’s priorities as ASEAN Chair in 2025 under the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”. Concurrently, Italy apprised the Meeting on its current foreign policy and priorities, as well as efforts in navigating the current international and regional challenges.

The Meeting reviewed the significant progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-Italy Practical Cooperation Areas (2022-2026) through various activities to date. Both sides acknowledged the potential to advance cooperation in key areas such as peacekeeping initiatives; combatting transnational crimes; maritime cooperation; promoting good governance and the rule of law; trade, investment, private sector engagements, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); food, agriculture and forestry; tourism; science, technology and innovation; connectivity; and cultural protection.

To capitalise on the potential of the ASEAN-Italy Development Partnership, both sides underscored the need to foster collaboration in domains such as peace and reconciliation; advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda; human rights; countering terrorism and violent extremism; cybersecurity; as well as creative economy.

The Meeting underlined the importance of enhancing collaboration in emerging areas of disaster management and humanitarian assistance, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), blue and green economy, energy security and energy transition, Artificial Intelligence, aerospace, sustainable development as well as in supporting the Strategic Plans to Implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

The Meeting also discussed possible collaboration under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as well as exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern. The 4th AI-DPC Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, and H.E. Benedetto Latteri, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to ASEAN. Members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives were in attendance. Timor-Leste participated as Observer.