00:00As the U.S. pulls back from regional trade agreements and multilateral institutions,
00:05ASEAN is intensifying efforts to deepen economic and strategic cooperation with its dialogue partners.
00:11From infrastructure integration to free trade deals and billion-dollar aid programs,
00:16Southeast Asia is entering what could be seen as an era of reduced U.S. economic engagement.
00:23Among key efforts is the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle.
00:27Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nikondet Balangkun, said the initiative is showing renewed progress
00:33through the promotion of digitalization under the IMTGT Implementation Blueprint 2022-2026
00:40and recent agreements like the Framework of Cooperation in Customs, Immigration and Quarantine.
00:47In the next upcoming two to three years,
00:51we expect border communities to improve with faster custom clearance,
01:03with more efficient immigration processing and pilot projects,
01:09ultimately lowering logistical costs, for instance, and supporting local economic activity.
01:16In parallel, negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement are moving forward,
01:23with both sides seeing opportunities in digital trade, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and green technologies.
01:30During today's meeting between Canada and ASEAN, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the FTA would help
01:36both sides adapt to trade uncertainty and non-market practices, urging negotiators to stay focused on finalizing the agreement.
01:44Meanwhile, Canberra has also reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN, with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
01:51noting that the country is directing its AU$1.28 billion development program to meet the region's highest needs.
01:58We know that there is uncertainty in development funding, and we know the impact of global aid cuts is not
02:07yet entirely known. We believe as partners and neighbours that we have a responsibility to contribute to a more
02:14equitable future for our region, and it is a responsibility that the government, our government, will not abandon.
02:20Under the theme, Inclusivity and Sustainability, ASEAN is working to boost economic security by building
02:28new partnerships, such as through the ASEAN-GCC China Summit and a Geoeconomic Task Force.
02:33ASEAN-GCC China Summit and a Geoeconomic Task Force.
02:47I am a member of the ASEAN-GCC China Summit and a Geoeconomic Task Force.
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