Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

October 27, 2023
Japanese
The OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum
Meetings with OECD Secretary-General Cormann
Statement by State Minister Tsuji

On October 26, the OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum was held in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Mr. TSUJI Kiyoto, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the forum. The overview of the forum is as follows.

Courtesy Call on H.E. Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
Meetings with the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
  1. The ministerial forum was held under the theme of “Sustainable and Quality Investment: A New Momentum for OECD – Southeast Asia Partnership” co-chaired by Viet Nam and Australia. The ministerial forum was attended by the ministerial-level representatives from OECD member countries and ASEAN countries, and H.E. Mr. Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD, participated in the forum.
  2. State Minister Tsuji participated in the sessions on "New potential for sustainable and quality investment in Southeast Asia" and "Financing the energy transition" and stated as follows in essence.
    • The OECD's outreach to Southeast Asia is aimed at maintaining and strengthening a free and open economic order based on the rule of law, and Japan shares this philosophy.
    • The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) emphasizes the principles of openness, transparency, inclusivity, and respect for international law, and the promotion of AOIP and OECD international standards will attract private investment to the ASEAN region, leading to sustainable economic growth. From this perspective, Japan hopes that the OECD will deepen its support to ASEAN countries under the new strategy on FDI. Japan also supports Indonesia's expression of its intention to join the OECD.
    • Through the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Connectivity Initiative announced by Prime Minister Kishida, Japan will cooperate in strengthening connectivity in six areas* and contribute to promoting quality private investment in the ASEAN region. * the development of transportation infrastructure, digital connectivity, maritime cooperation, supply chain resilience, electricity connectivity, human and knowledge connectivity.
    • Regarding the climate change issues, Japan will contribute to the decarbonization of the ASEAN region without undermining economic growth through providing financial and technical assistance under the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC).
  3. On the occasion of this forum, State Minister Tsuji󠄀 paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and held meetings with OECD Secretary-General Cormann, and the participants from the UK, Thailand, and the Philippines, confirming close cooperation towards the 2024 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (Chair country: Japan) and the importance of further strengthening the OECD’s outreach to Southeast Asia.
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