Mr. Chair,

1.I am honoured to speak on behalf of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN aligns itself with the statement made by Cuba on behalf of the G77 and China on this agenda item.

2.Today, we face a confluence of headwinds. While the worst of the pandemic is behind us, numerous challenges remain. Geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic uncertainty, food and energy insecurity, and climate woes are just some of the cross-cutting challenges giving rise to an increasingly fragmented and unstable world.

3.On ASEAN’s part, we are keenly aware that cooperation is the bedrock of our continued resilience and growth. The theme of Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year, “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, underscores our joint commitment to strengthen ASEAN’s capacity to navigate and respond to these challenges, while seizing new opportunities for growth.

4.Allow me to highlight two key priority areas:

5.First, ASEAN will continue to deepen regional cooperation in the digital space.

i.Last month, ASEAN welcomed the launch of negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which aims to enhance our interconnectivity and narrow the digital divide so that our people and businesses can tap on the full benefits of the digital ecosystem.

ii.In tandem, we will continue to make good progress on the implementation of the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 and ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy. This puts us in good stead to accelerate ASEAN’s digital transformation, while taking pre-emptive steps against trans-boundary cyber threats.

iii.ASEAN Member States will continue to engage actively and constructively in the discussions on the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and seize this valuable opportunity for us to address new frontier issues such as artificial intelligence and pressing challenges such as the digital divide. To this end, it is important for us to advance a GDC that promotes digital inclusion, innovation and interoperability, and which can serve as an accelerator for the achievement of the SDGs.

6.Second, ASEAN has taken proactive measures to strengthen our global commons and tackle the existential global challenges of climate change alongside food and energy insecurity.

i.Last month, we adopted the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality, which provides a pathway to accelerate our transition towards a low-carbon future and the region’s green transformation. In conjunction, we are committed to ensuring sustainable energy security, including the advancement of the ASEAN Power Grid which will bolster electricity trade and improve access to energy services in the region.

ii.To address food insecurity, ASEAN is working towards enhancing the productivity of agri-food systems and ensuring the unimpeded trade and flow of such food products. We are also committed to delivering on our regional food security priorities, including, among others, the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) Framework, Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN (SPA-FS) 2021-2025, as well as the Vision and Strategic Plan for ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry 2016-2025 to ensure adequate food and nutrition for all.

iii.ASEAN will continue to support the continued implementation of the 2030 SDGs Agenda and will seek to leverage the Summit of the Future in 2024 as an important opportunity to build momentum for work on this front.

Mr. Chair,

7.ASEAN believes that no nation can solve transboundary problems alone. We must continue to find ways to advance our partnerships, given our stake in one another’s success. On that note, we remain dedicated to boosting cooperation among ASEAN Member States as well as with external partners to bolster regional economic resilience, including prioritising digital sectors to solidify ASEAN's role as a growth hub.

8.In this regard, ASEAN will continue to partner the UN and work with all delegations to implement the 2030 Agenda, towards the advancement of a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future.

9.Thank you.