THE inaugural Asean-United Kingdom Senior Officials’ Meeting (Asean-UK SOM) was convened in London on July 6—the first since the conferment of the region’s dialogue-partner status to the European country in August 2021.
Asean and UK SOM leaders agreed to continue to enhance existing relations while exploring new areas for collaboration which cover counterterrorism and violent extremism, cyber security, transnational crimes, maritime security, digital integration, environment and climate change, food security, sustainable infrastructure, connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, as well as public health.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern, including the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, and the situation in Ukraine.
With the Philippines being the country coordinator for Asean-UK economic relations, Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, who is the Philippine SOM leader, led the discussion on the region and the kingdom’s economic cooperation, specifically on digital integration, energy security and food security.
Director-General Jenny Bates of the Indo-Pacific Directorate at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, who is the UK SOM leader, is confident that the outcomes of the first Asean-UK SOM will contribute to stronger cooperation and linkages between the region and the European country in the coming years.
Image credits: London PE