JAKARTA/VIENTIANE (Vietnam News/ANN): Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Masurdi encouraged South Korea to cooperate with Asean in the development of electric vehicles (EVs) at the recent Asean Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) with the Korean representatives in Vientiane, Laos.
This is a follow-up to the ASEAN Plus Three Leaders' Statement on the Developing Electric Vehicle Ecosystem agreed upon by the Leaders of Asean Plus Three (China, Japan, and ROK) last year, during Indonesia's chairmanship of Asean.
According to the Indonesian diplomat, to create a greener region in the future, it is important for Asean to be able to enhance its capacity in using and creating the latest technology, especially EVs.
Masurdi suggested Asean–South Korea cooperation in the area could be carried out through leveraging the comparative advantages of Asean member states, diversifying investments, especially for electric vehicle infrastructure, developing technical standards, attracting private sector participation, and creating a strong electric vehicle ecosystem and supply chain.
The Asean electric vehicle market continues to grow. This year, its value reached US$1.14 billion. By 2029, this market is projected to reach US$4.70 billion.
Speaking at the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with South Korea in Vientiane, Laos, on Friday, Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Minister Retno MarsudiMarsudi emphasised the importance of implementing the Asean Leaders' Declaration on Developing a Regional EV Ecosystem, which was established during Indonesia's 2023 Asean chairmanship.
"In order to become a green region in the future, it is vital that the Asean enhance its capacity to utilise and create advanced technologies, especially EV," she remarked, according to a statement released from her office in Jakarta.
The minister underscored that the South-East Asian region had been witnessing positive trends in its EV market, with the value having hit US$1.14 billion this year.
She added that the value is projected to propel to US$4.70 billion in 2029.
On that note, Marsudi suggested that Asean and South Korea work together to develop the region's EV ecosystem by leveraging Southeast Asian countries' comparative advantages and boosting investments in the EV sector.
Apart from EV-related matters, the Asean and South Korean foreign affairs ministers attending the conference also discussed the prolonged tension in the Korean Peninsula.
"It is crucial to take firm yet prudent steps to address the situation in the Korean Peninsula while ensuring that communication and dialogue channels remain viable," Marsudi stressed during an interview with Antara.
She added that Asean and South Korea must play a prominent role in encouraging development in the region.
The minister further remarked that both parties should strengthen their commitment to paving the way for an open, transparent, and inclusive regional architecture. - Vietnam News/ANN
