Vietnam hosts 15th consultation meeting of IAI Task Force with ASEAN compatriots
In Jakarta, Indonesia, Ambassador Tôn Thị Ngọc Hương chaired the 15th Consultation Meeting of the ASEAN Integration Initiative (IAI) Task Force-ASEAN Partners on August 11. This meeting marked a significant moment in ASEAN's integration agenda, with Vietnam playing a key role in shaping its future direction.
The ASEAN Integration Initiative, currently chaired by Vietnam, is focused on narrowing development gaps among ASEAN member states and promoting balanced regional progress. The initiative has been instrumental in helping less developed members, notably the CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam), to fully implement ASEAN commitments.
Vietnam's chairmanship is particularly significant as the development of the IAI Work Plan V is expected to be adopted by the 47th ASEAN Summit in late 2025. This new work plan aligns with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which aims to continue closing socio-economic gaps and fostering inclusive regional integration.
Regarding Timor-Leste, there is a strong regional commitment to its seamless ASEAN accession, targeted for completion by October 2025. The ASEAN Coordinating Council (CPR) emphasizes support to ensure a smooth and successful process for Timor-Leste's accession, indicating ASEAN’s focus on inclusion and enlargement alongside integration.
The IAI Work Plan IV includes 114 projects, with ASEAN partners supporting 28 projects worth $18.3 million across five strategic areas: food and agriculture, trade facilitation, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), education, and health and well-being. The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm both ASEAN member states' and partners' commitment to strengthening cooperation.
Partners commended the progress of the Work Plan IV (2021-2025) and acknowledged Vietnam's active role as Chair of the IAI Task Force in 2025. The IAI Task Force thanked ASEAN partners for their contributions to narrowing development gaps through the initiative.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Hương stressed that the IAI has remained one of ASEAN's flagship initiatives. ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Satvinder Singh provided an update on the IAI Work Plan IV (2021-2025), which has a total value of $24.8 million and a 70.8% completion rate.
The meeting brought together all ASEAN dialogue partners, sectoral, and development partners. Partners expressed optimism that Timor-Leste's participation would bolster its journey toward full ASEAN membership and help close development gaps with other member states. The inclusion of Timor-Leste as an IAI beneficiary was warmly welcomed by partners.
As Vietnam leads ASEAN’s renewed efforts to deepen integration while ensuring inclusivity, the ongoing IAI strategic planning and regional enlargement efforts involving Timor-Leste reflect this commitment. The IAI Task Force-ASEAN Partners meeting aimed to reaffirm commitment to the IAI's focus on promoting inclusive regional integration and enhancing capacities of CLMV countries, with Timor-Leste now included in this mission.
- The ASEAN Integration Initiative, currently chaired by Vietnam, is aimed at promoting balanced regional progress by narrowing development gaps among ASEAN member states.
- Partners commended the progress of the Work Plan IV (2021-2025) and acknowledged Vietnam's active role as Chair of the IAI Task Force.
- The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening cooperation, particularly in areas like education and health, to implement ASEAN commitments more effectively.
- The inclusion of Timor-Leste as an IAI beneficiary was warmly welcomed by partners, as it signifies ASEAN's focus on inclusion and enlargement alongside integration.
- The ongoing IAI strategic planning and regional enlargement efforts involving Timor-Leste reflect Vietnam's commitment to deepening ASEAN integration while ensuring inclusivity.
