The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the “JICA-ASEAN Knowledge Co-Creation and Connectivity Initiative” on December 18 on the occasion of the ASEAN-Japan Special Leaders’ Meeting. Inheriting its projects and principles with ASEAN countries over the past half century, JICA will conduct human resource development projects aimed at building a true partnership of mutual growth and learning, and further fostering trust between Japan and ASEAN.
The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation for Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The relationship between Japan and ASEAN dates back to 1973, when friction over Japan’s synthetic rubber exports was resolved through dialogue at the ministerial level. Since then, Japan and ASEAN have enjoyed 50 years of close cooperation.
In September of this year, the Government of Japan announced the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative, which calls for the promotion of soft cooperation through technical cooperation and the strengthening of multi-layered connectivity in addition to hard cooperation. At the ASEAN-Japan Special Leaders’ Meeting held on December 17, the two sides adopted a Joint Vision Statement for ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and an Action Plan for concrete implementation of the Vision Statement. The Vision Statement calls for ASEAN and Japan to be partners in trust and a three-pronged partnership: (1) a heart-to-heart partnership that transcends generations; (2) a partnership to co-create the future economy and society; and (3) a partnership for peace and stability.
The specifics of the JICA-ASEAN Knowledge Co-Creation and Connectivity Initiative (JAKCCI) are as follows
© Source JICA