On Friday 13th April, 2018, the Secretary- General of the D-8 Organization for Economic cooperation, Ambassador Dato Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari held talks with the Secretary-General of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr. Lim Jock Hoi in his office in Jakarta.

The D-8 Secretary- General described ASEAN as one of the world’s most successful experiment at regional integration and pointed out the need for experience sharing and global best practices between the two organizations. He highlighted two areas that are critically important: experiences on project initiatives and streams of funding for implementing them.

On his part, the ASEAN Secretary-General assured that his organization is open to cooperation in socio-cultural, economic, political and security spheres. He informed that ASEAN is working closely with the UN on SDGs in order to achieve stability and prosperity in the region.

Thus, the two Secretaries-General agreed to work on an MOU that is very general in order to foster cooperation between their organizations. They also agreed that the Federation of D-8 Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry should work together and explore business opportunities. There was also an agreement that D-8 will organize a seminar and invite ASEAN to speak on its activities and experiences so that the two organizations can leverage on the success stories of each other.

Two members of the D-8 Organization, namely Indonesia and Malaysia are members of the ASEAN.

The meeting was attended by Director 1 of the D-8 Secretariat, Mr. Nasir Aminu; Assistant Director, External Relations Division, ASEAN, Mr. Phanthaly Chantharathip; and Senior Officer, External Relations Division, ASEAN, Mr. Akbar Meirio.