20 Apr 2017
20-Apr-2017
Source: ASEAN Secretariat News
ASEAN, Australia review implementation of development cooperation
JAKARTA, 20 April 2017 - ASEAN and Australia held the 11th Joint Planning and Review Committee (JPRC) Meeting of the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II (AADCP II) at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta today.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the AADCP II and planned on further enhancing programme implementation and cooperation. The AADCP II is an AUD$57 million programme, which started in 2008 and has been extended until 2019. The annual review and planning noted that AADCP II remains relevant and provided valued contributions in the ASEAN regional economic integration.
The programme funds a range of projects and activities related to consumer protection, financial integration, agriculture, investment, tourism, ASEAN integration and ASEAN Connectivity. It supports ASEAN sectoral bodies through research and policy advice in key thematic areas, as well as helping to strengthen capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Programme Management Team of the AADCP II reported that 51 of 69 projects have been completed under the Rolling Prioritization Plan (RRP) covering the period July 2016 to June 2017.
The meeting approved the RPP 2016-2017, in which AADCP II is programmed to provide USD 3.32 million to support five new projects, including support for the Study on Establishing an ASEAN Single Telecommunications Market Post-2015 and Process refinement and training of ASEAN Tourism Master Trainers and Master Assessors, among others.
The programme will continue to contribute to ASEAN’s strategic framework, “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together.” Looking forward to the historic ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in March 2018, the JPRC noted that AADCP II remains a strong component of the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Partnership.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Min Lwin, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to ASEAN and Country Coordinator of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations; and Jane Duke, Ambassador of Australia to ASEAN.
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