Future Challenges for Rising ASEAN discussed among Media Editors and ERIA Experts in Myanmar

Story and photos by Chhay Sophal
Cambodia News

Yangon, Myanmar (25 November 2014): A group of some 50 senior journalists in Southeast Asia and East Asia as well as experts of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) gathered here in Park Royal hotel on Tuesday to talk on how ASEAN can move forwards in 2015 and beyond.

Speaking in his welcoming remarks in the discussion with the topic of “The 3^rd ERIA Editors Roundtable: Challenges for Rising ASIAN”, ERIA Executive Director Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura said the event is organised to connect prominent editors and journalists from ASEAN and East Asia with the partnership of ASEAN.

“Today we will have the opportunity to discuss and exchange views on the ways and means to overcome the future challenges of AEC {ASEAN Economic Community] 2015 and beyond…,” he said.

The discussion also focused on the future of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RECP) that ERIA’s study shows that it would contribute to the enhancement of production networks and the economic development in AEAN and East Asia.

the Issue of ASEAN connectivity is also raised in the discussion in which Prof. Nishimura said “To establish a competitive and resilient ASEAN Community, we understand the important of the implementing Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity which will promote economic growth, narrow development gaps, and contribute to deeper social and cultural understanding and greater people mobility,” Prof. Nishimura said.

Speakers and panelists who are senior journalists and ASEAN experts in different nations of the region are invited to share their views on topic in the 3^rd event co-organised by ERIA and Myanmar’s MIZZIMA Media Group.

Prof. Nishimura also urged media people to help raise awareness of the issue, saying that “Editors and journalists are very important players to realize the ASEAN community. Your understanding of the overall potential and dynamic of ASEAN is the most pivotal to promote the sense of belonging and ASEAN IDENTITY.”

EARIA was established by a formal agreement among 16 ASEAN Heads of the Government at the 3^rd East Asia Summit in Singapore on 21 November 2007. Before then, experts from the 16 countries and the ASEAN Secretariat had intensive discussions and elaborated the idea of ERIA by sharing views on the basic concept, guiding principles, structure, research themes, capacity building programs, etc.

The three main objectives of ERIA are aiming to facilitate ASEAN Economic Community building and support ASEAN’s role as the driver of the wider economic integration and sustainable growth in the region; to contribute to narrowing of the development gaps and fostering research capabilities which can value-add to public policy-making; and to nurture a greater sense of community in East Asia.

The 1^st event was done in Cambodia and the second one was held in Brunei. ASEAN consists Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.