Asia

1. This dialogue hosted by the Government of Indonesia was held with the presence of representatives from EAS participating countries. After the opening remarks by H.E. Ms. Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. H. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, gave a keynote speech.

2. At the General Debate, Special Advisor Mr. Sonoura first expressed his condolence over the shooting incident in Christchurch, New Zealand. He then explained Japan`s view towards a free and open Indo-Pacific and emphasized that each countries including Japan can seek synergy among the various concepts and complement each other`s initiatives toward the shared goal. He also called on the participants to make this year a year of action to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific. (text of the statement (English (PDF) / Japanese (PDF)）。

3. In response, the participating countries emphasized the necessity of promoting basic principles such as openness, transparency, inclusiveness, rules-based order, ASEAN centrality in the region, and confirmed the importance of each country to enhance cooperation with others in fields such as connectivity, maritime cooperation and sustainable development while promoting its own concept.

4. On this occasion, Special Advisor Mr. Sonoura had bilateral meetings with Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Dr. Tan Wu Meng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore, Foreign Minister Ms. Retno Marsudi, and Rt.Hon. Winston Peters，Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand. He also had talks with the Hon. Dato Seri Paduka Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd. Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam，the Hon. Rimbink Pato, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea，H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary General of ASEAN.