Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof chaired the 50th ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) and Associated Dialogue Partner Meetings via video conference from November 18-19.
Key outcomes of the Task Force Meeting on the Mid-Term Review of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP) 2016-2025, including activities and projects to be implemented by the various ASEAN Transport Working Groups, were discussed.
Discussions on transport cooperation were also held with dialogue partners in preparation for the 26th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM) and Associated Dialogue Partner Meetings scheduled for November 24-25.
This was followed by the 19th ASEAN and China Senior Transport Officials Meeting (19th STOM+China) co-chaired by Haji Mohammad Nazri and Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Transport, People’s Republic of China Shan Hongjun.
They reviewed the progress implementation of the 2018-2020 Action Programme of the Revised Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation. They also deliberated on follow-up activities to implement the Joint Statement of ASEAN and China Transport Ministers on ‘Ensuring Smooth Transport and Logistics to Combat COVID-19 and Reactivate the Economy’, which was adopted on July 16.
Yesterday, ASEAN senior officials met with Japan at the 19th ASEAN and Japan Senior Transport Officials Meeting (19th STOM+Japan) co-chaired with Special Representative for International Affairs at Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan Yamakoshi Toshihiro. Discussions were held on the progress implementation of projects under the ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership (AJTP) Work Plan for 2019-2020, including key deliverables and new initiatives relating to port efficiency, maritime safety and sustainable transport.
It was then followed by the 12th ASEAN and Republic of Korea Senior Transport Officials Meeting (12th STOM+ROK), co-chaired with Director of International Cooperation and Trade Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Republic of Korea Jiyoung Shim.
Both senior officials reviewed the progress of the existing ASEAN-ROK Transport Cooperation Roadmap 2019-2020.
The meeting recommended the renewal of the roadmap for another five years starting 2021.
In the afternoon, the 4th ASEAN and European Union Senior Transport Officials Dialogue was held under the co-chairmanship of Haji Mohammad Nazri and Director General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission Henrik Hololei.
Officials exchanged views on the recovery plans by ASEAN and the European Union (EU) to address the COVID-19 pandemic. They also considered the progress implementation of programmes under Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI) and also through the ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE Plus).
The meeting outcomes from the 50th STOM and Associated Dialogue Partner Meetings will be submitted for consideration at the 26th ATM and with dialogue partners next week.
Also present at the meetings were Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transportion) at the MTIC Pengiran Haji Mohd Zain bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Razak as the head of the Brunei delegation, comprising senior officials from MTIC, relevant departments and authority under the MTIC.
The ASEAN STOM and associated dialogue partners meet annually to review and coordinate transport related activities, programmes and projects for the consideration of the transport ministers.