His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah appreciated the Republic of Korea‘s (ROK) support for ASEAN’s community-building efforts over the years, including the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) which demonstrates the ROK’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with ASEAN.
To this end, His Majesty encouraged more concerted efforts to advance digital transformation in the region including through initiatives such as the ‘ASEAN-ROK Startups Partnership’ to narrow the digital gap between ASEAN and ROK businesses and ensure more dynamic regional trade.
His Majesty delivered the titah during the 24th ASEAN-ROK Summit yesterday, at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Indonesia. Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
In addition, His Majesty also emphasised the important role of youth and the need to provide them better opportunities to thrive and excel. In this regard, His Majesty looked forward to programmes and initiatives such as the ASEAN – ROK Youth Summit in providing a platform for ASEAN and ROK youth to network and exchange ideas on potential areas of collaboration.
Meanwhile, President of Korea Yoon Suk-yeol in a statement reiterated the ROK’s support for ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, demonstrated through the KASI.
Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chính as country coordinator for ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations, then delivered the ASEAN Common Statement, stating three areas of priority for ASEAN-ROK partnership which include the need to strengthen economic and trade cooperation under the ASEAN-ROK Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
At the summit, the leaders encouraged for ASEAN and the ROK to continue enhancing connectivity and regional supply chains to ensure responsiveness to regional and global developments.
At the end of the summit, the Joint Statement of the 24th ASEAN-ROK Summit on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific was adopted.
