(KPL/VNA) The 76th meeting of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force was held in Jakarta on May 6 under the chairmanship of Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to ASEAN.

This marked the second meeting Vietnam has presided over as Chair of the IAI Task Force in 2025.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of IAI projects and discussed measures to enhance the effectiveness of IAI Work Plan IV (2021–2025).

Thirteen new projects of Singapore, Canada, Japan and Australia were accredited, bringing the total number of IAI projects under Work Plan IV to 112. These initiatives address 70.8% of the actions, valued at 24.8 million USD.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to stepping up seeking potential sponsors for pending projects, particularly the outstanding actions under Work Plan IV, aiming to accelerate the plan's overall progress as 2025 is the final year of the plan period.

The meeting also discussed the development of IAI Work Plan V (2026–2030), which is expected to be submitted for adoption at the 47th ASEAN Summit in November this year. The new plan will be guided by the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026–2030, and experiences gained from previous phases.

Launched in 2000, the IAI aims to narrow the development gap among ASEAN members and support the full integration of newer members, initially Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and from 2024, Timor-Leste.

KPL