JPM-Press Release-2021-11
8 April 2021, Jakarta. – Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN, Ambassador Noel Servigon, shared the Philippines’ views and recommendations on strengthening cooperation with Australia, ASEAN’s oldest Dialogue Partner, in the 11th ASEAN-Australia Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting on 8 April 2021.
Ambassador Servigon thanked Australia for supporting the region’s efforts in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and enhancing public health security in ASEAN. He encouraged Australia to support the sustainable development of the region, particularly through cooperation with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, which is based in the Philippines, and to undertake broader cooperation with ASEAN on zoonotic diseases, illegal wildlife trade, and the conservation of biological diversity.
Ambassador Servigon further invited Australia to explore cooperation with ASEAN on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), particularly through the ASEAN TVET Council, of which the Philippines is the inaugural Chair. He highlighted the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth employment and stressed the importance of exploring novel measures in training and re-skilling of the youth through TVET to address this issue.
ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations recently gained momentum with the conclusion of the 2nd ASEAN-Australia biennial summit in 2020, during which President Rodrigo Roa Duterte characterized ASEAN-Australia Strategic Partnership as a force for good, anchored on ASEAN and Australia’s shared interest for a peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific.
With impetus from ASEAN and Australia’s Leaders, the ASEAN-Australia Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting is intended to translate these shared goals of securing the region’s peace and prosperity, into concrete projects that benefit the peoples of ASEAN and Australia. END.
