MOSCOW, Sept 6 — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday announced the launch of the Japan-Asean Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative, which involves expanding cooperation in six key areas, ranging from infrastructure and maritime to digital connectivity.
“I hereby announce the ‘Japan-Asean Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative’ and declare that Japan will promote cooperation to strengthen connectivity in six areas,” Kishida said at the Asean-Indo-Pacific Forum in Indonesia, reported Sputnik.
The first area of cooperation is transport infrastructure development, he said, adding that Japan would continue to facilitate the flow of goods and people among Asean nations through projects worth 2.8 trillion yen (US$19 billion).
Kishida identified digital connectivity as the second area for expanding cooperation. He noted that Japanese authorities would work with Asean members to promote digitalization and improve cybersecurity.
“The third is ‘Maritime Cooperation.’ This is an important element in strengthening connectivity between Japan and Asean countries, which are linked by the sea. Japan will assist Asean countries in enhancing their maritime law enforcement capacity, through training programs and grant of patrol vessels for the coast guard agencies and maritime police,” the prime minister said.
The Japanese leader also mentioned the “supply chain resilience” and “electricity connectivity” as fields of cooperation, in which Japan also intends to organize training for specialists from Asean countries.
“Lastly, ‘Human and Knowledge Connectivity.’ The foundation for the development of society is ‘people’ and their ‘knowledge.’ We will foster human resources in Asean countries through conducting personnel exchanges and training programs in a wide range of fields, as well as strengthen the network of people in Japan and Asean countries,” he said.
Kishida specified that Japan will establish “capacity building” programmes for 5,000 people over the next three years.
The Asean-Indo-Pacific Forum, which is held under the motto “Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” is attended by the leaders of its member states, as well as Australia, Canada and Japan. Heads of leading transnational corporations, the World Economic Forum, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are also taking part the event.
— Bernama-Sputnik
