Tribune News Network
Doha
As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marks the 57th anniversary of its establishment this year, the ASEAN Committee in Doha (ACD) has lauded the level of cooperation and exchanges between Qatar and ASEAN member states.
The five founding member states of ASEAN were Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei, Vietnaam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia later joined the bloc. The theme under Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship this year is ‘ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience’.
In a statement, ACD said the theme highlights ASEAN’s commitment to fostering stronger connections to build resilience, both within ASEAN and with its trusted external partners, such as Qatar, which acceded to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2022.
“We are glad to see exchanges at the highest levels between the leaders of Qatar and ASEAN. The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani made a state visit to the Philippines in April this year at the invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto both visited Doha in May,” ACD said in a statement. “HH the Amir also met with then-Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh last October, while Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani visited Singapore in August 2023.
ASEAN is a dynamic region comprising more than 670 million people, of whom 60 percent are below the age of 35. Its dynamism lies in its ability to evolve, integrate and collaborate across economic, political, security and social-cultural dimensions.
Today, ASEAN is one of the fastest growing regions of the world with a combined GDP amounting to $3.6 trillion in 2022, a figure that is set to double within the next two decades. ASEAN is poised to become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2030.
“Against this backdrop, Qatar’s ties with ASEAN have grown steadily. Qatar’s total trade with ASEAN amounts to an annual estimate of $9 billion. Qatar is also a key investor in ASEAN, with investments in the energy, financial, real estate, telecommunications, agribusiness, hospitality and medical sectors,” ACD highlighted.
“Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has established its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore. Qatari investments into Singapore are estimated at around $3 billion, and are mostly in the energy, financial, insurance and real estate sectors. Amidst the growing energy trade in the region, QatarEnergy has established a liaison office in Thailand, further strengthening its presence and enhancing collaboration within the regional market. Prominent Qatari companies such as Ooredoo, Nebras Power and QNB Group have established a presence in Indonesia. Qatari investors are currently exploring expansion of their portfolio in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines,” the group added.
Likewise, ASEAN member states’ investments in Qatar have grown steadily, with notable projects already existing in the oil and gas, hospitality, information and communications technology (ICT), construction and retail sectors. As key food exporters, some of the ASEAN member states also play a vital role in supporting Qatar’s food security efforts to achieve its National Vision 2030.
“Under Laos’ chairmanship, ASEAN is focused on three pillars. First, enhancing regional cooperation and strengthening ASEAN’s people-to-people ties both within member states and with external partners such as Qatar. Within the region, infrastructure development, digitalisation initiatives and cultural exchanges facilitate greater understanding and collaboration between member states,” ACD stressed.
Forging an inclusive and sustainable future, the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality will accelerate an inclusive transition towards a green economy by fostering sustainable growth. It will complement ASEAN member states’ national policies. One power integration project, which has already begun and involves Lao, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, could potentially be a pathfinder to an ASEAN energy grid.
“We look forward to the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam, which will work towards achieving a climate-resilient and low-carbon region,” the group said.
Further to the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap of 2021, negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) formally begun in December 2023. ASEAN’s goal is to conclude negotiations on DEFA by end of 2025. DEFA will accelerate trade growth, enhance interoperability of our systems, and create an atmosphere that promotes start-ups, entrepreneurship and innovation. ASEAN’s digital economy is projected to triple by the end of the decade to almost $1 billion by 2030, and progressive rules in DEFA will support the region’s transformation to an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.
“This year’s theme is especially relevant in our increasingly volatile world. Populism, protectionism and nationalism continue to grow and tensions between major powers remain,” the pointed out. “In the backdrop of the current geopolitical landscape, principles that ASEAN has upheld for decades such as free trade, economic integration and globalisation are challenged. It is imperative that ASEAN continue to strengthen its resilience and connectivity as a foundation for greater growth. In this regard, there is tremendous scope for Qatar and ASEAN to strengthen cooperation in various fields such as renewable energy, climate change, sustainable development, agribusiness, education, financial, ICT, sports, transport, tourism and hospitality. Likewise, ASEAN continues to collaborate with Qatar in upholding our shared values, particularly in reinforcing the rule of law, promoting peaceful resolutions of conflicts, and advancing an inclusive and just society.
“Additionally, the ASEAN-GCC Framework of Cooperation 2024-2028 provides a pathway for Qatar to engage with ASEAN through its regional bloc. We welcome Qatar’s continued engagement of ASEAN and look forward to the next ASEAN-GCC Summit in 2025.”
