The ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) held its 24th meeting on October 7, 2024, in Vientiane, Laos, following the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) meeting in September. Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Trade, Jerry Sambuaga, represented the country at the AEM meeting. The AECC meeting focused on several strategic issues to strengthen regional economic integration, notably the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on Enhancing Supply Chain Connectivity (SCC) and the Leaders' Statement on the Substantial Conclusion of the ACFTA 3.0 Upgrade Negotiation. The SCC Declaration aims to bolster ASEAN's supply chain to improve competitiveness, resilience, and regional economic sustainability, while the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) includes new elements such as cooperation in MSMEs, supply chain enhancement, green economy, and digital economy. These measures are crucial for enhancing ASEAN's economic ties with China and improving inter-country connectivity. Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, Director-General of International Trade Negotiations at Indonesia's Ministry of Trade, emphasized the significance of these agreements in advancing regional economic goals.
The 24th AECC meeting also stressed the urgency of accelerating negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) to advance digitalization and improve interoperability in the region. DEFA, a key achievement under Indonesia's 2023 Chairmanship, has reached six rounds of negotiations so far. Dina Kurniasari, Director of ASEAN Negotiations at Indonesia's Ministry of Trade, noted that AECC ministers agreed to intensify DEFA negotiations, aiming for completion by next year. The ministers envision ASEAN becoming a competitive and sustainable digital economy hub, ready to face evolving digital era challenges and opportunities. The outcomes of the 24th AECC meeting will be reported at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits scheduled for October 8-10, 2024, in Vientiane. Delegates from Indonesia's Directorate of ASEAN Negotiations will be part of the core delegation for the AECC meeting and the summits.
