(AseanAll) — ASEAN and Pakistan reaffirmed commitment to further deepen their partnership at the 8th Meeting of the ASEAN-Pakistan Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on February 6, 2025.
The Meeting noted the progress made in the first-year of implementation of the ASEAN-Pakistan Sectoral Dialogue Partnership: Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) (2024-2028). Both sides recognised notable cooperation in some areas such as trade and investment; business-to-business linkages; science, technology, and innovation; information and media; and human resource development.
ASEAN and Pakistan shared the view that there remain tremendous opportunities for closer collaboration and recognised the need to work closely to tap the full potentials of the partnership for mutual benefit. ASEAN encouraged Pakistan to support the forthcoming ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans while actively undertaking practical cooperation with ASEAN across the four identified key areas of cooperation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). ASEAN also encouraged Pakistan to support the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 (MPAC) and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV, and welcomed collaboration with ASEAN centres of excellence.
Looking ahead, they explored opportunities to continue strengthening collaboration in the areas of mutual interest as guided by the PCA 2024-2028, including combating transnational crime; peace and reconciliation; trade and investment; digital economy and cybersecurity; business-to-business networking and linkages; food security; halal industry; energy security; tourism; renewable energy; circular and green economy; infrastructure development; disaster management; climate change; education; human resource development; media; health; climate-change; disaster management; as well as people-to-people exchanges.
The Meeting took note of the priorities of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, progress on the ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative, and ASEAN’s effort to promote sustainable development and narrow the development gaps.
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, H.E. San Lwin, and Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to ASEAN, H.E. Ameer Khurram Rathore, co-chaired the meeting. Members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and their respective delegations were in attendance. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.
