The UK has put itself forward to become a Dialogue Partner
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN).
The bid is the latest step by the Foreign Office to forge
deeper relations with regional blocs beyond the UK’s doorstep,
and boost ties with international forums that will lead to new
opportunities across trade, education, science and
security.
The application, which would give the UK high-level access
to ASEAN reinforced by deeper practical cooperation, alongside
countries including the United States, China and India, was
signed by Foreign Secretary .
Foreign Secretary, , said:
"As Asia grows in importance, Global Britain will
cooperate even more closely with our friends in the region. We
aim to boost trade by joining the Trans-Pacific trade agreement.
And by becoming one of ASEAN's Dialogue Partners, we can
strengthen our ability to cooperate across the Indo-Pacific
region, as a force for good, on everything from climate change to
regional stability."
The UK is already one of the few countries with a dedicated
Ambassador to ASEAN, an embassy or High Commission in all ten
Member States and an extensive cooperation programme on topics
spanning terrorism, climate change and COVID-19.
UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Jon Lambe,
said:
“We have been a close partner of ASEAN for over 40
years, over which time we have worked side-by-side across
political, security, economic and social and cultural
issues.
“In my role as Ambassador to the organisation, every
day I see how the UK is being a force for good in the
region.
“Our bid to become a Dialogue Partner is part of our
long-standing and continued commitment to ASEAN.”
Dialogue Partner status would further build the UK’s strong
relationships across the ASEAN region and reflects the strength
and breadth of the UK offer to the organisation.
The status would facilitate further practical cooperation
across key sectors as well as allow the UK to attend annual ASEAN
Summits and ministerial meetings.
Founded in 1967, ASEAN is a regional community that has
brought together the ten Southeast Asian countries around a set
of common values and principles, as well as seeking to accelerate
economic growth, social progress and cultural development through
joint endeavours.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
-
Current ASEAN Dialogue Partners are: Australia, Canada,
China, European Union, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New
Zealand, Russia, and the United States.
-
ASEAN countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam.
-
ASEAN total combined GDP reached US$ 3.14 trillion in
2019, almost double that of a decade ago (US$ 1.6 trillion in
2008).
-
ASEAN total values trade in services reached US$778.6
billion in 2018, while total FDI inflows to the region amounted
to US$154.7 billion in the same year [source].
-
Total trade in goods and services between the UK and
ASEAN member states was £41.7 ($52.13) billion in 2019
-
UK exports to ASEAN member states in 2019 amounted to
£11.4 billion (58.4% goods; 41.6% services). UK imports
totalled £22.3 billion (70.2% goods; 29.8% services) in
2019
-
The stock of UK foreign direct investment (FDI) in ASEAN
was at least £22.9 billion in 2018. This accounts for 1.6% of
total UK FDI stock
-
Since 2019, the UK’s Prosperity Fund has supported the
ASEAN Economic Reform Programme (worth £19 million over 4
years) and the ASEAN Low Carbon Energy Programme (worth £15
million over 4 years)
