SINGAPORE/JAKARTA — Japanese and ASEAN leaders are likely to agree to pursue a world without nuclear weapons and deepen their cooperation on supply chains and digitalization at a summit later this month, according to a draft joint vision statement seen by Nikkei.
The joint statement will be issued at a special summit from Dec. 16 to 18 in Tokyo, and it will underline three pillars of cooperation: people exchanges, co-creation of economy and society, and peace and stability. Supply chains and digitalization will be priority areas.
With Japan and ASEAN celebrating their 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation in 2023, the two sides have upgraded their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
In the economic and social fields, the emphasis will be on “co-creation.” Both sides will enhance “connectivity through quality infrastructure investment, institutional and human resource development and exchanges,” and efforts will be made to improve the robustness of supply chains.
The promotion of digitalization and cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as support for innovation in enterprises, including small and medium-sized companies and start-ups, will also be on the agenda.
The statement is expected to include a commitment to “working towards a world without nuclear weapons.”
The group will jointly work on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Particular threats are perceived from North Korea and Russia. The latter has often threatened in different settings to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
The statement will also touch on human rights and strengthening cooperation on protecting critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks.
People exchanges will be increased in more fields, including culture and sports. In education, scholarship programs and student/teacher exchanges will be expanded.
Source: Asia Nikkei
