PRESS RELEASE

Jakarta, May 5 - The ASEAN Secretariat will hold a Development Cooperation Forum from 6 to 7 May 1999 in Jakarta to discuss the ASEAN Vision 2020, the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA) and other ASEAN priorities with various countries and organizations. Specifically, the Forum aims to serve as a venue for ASEAN collaborators to explore several activities and projects where they could participate and support.

The ASEAN Vision 2020 defines in broad terms the direction and priorities of ASEAN over the next two decades. The Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA) provides specific activities to implement the Vision under several categories, namely macroeconomic and financial cooperation; greater economic integration; science and technology and information technology; social development and social safety net, human resource development, environment and sustainable development; regional peace and security; ASEAN awareness; and ASEAN structures and mechanisms development.

Given the current regional situation, the Forum is expected to focus on three themes, such as economic recovery and greater economic integration, social impact of the financial crisis, and environment and human development.

In addition to the ASEAN member countries, the Forum will be participated in by representatives of the ASEAN Dialogue Partners, namely, Australia, Canada, China, India, European Union, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, the United States of America and the United Nations Development Programme. Representatives of various international financial organizations and private foundations are also expected to participate.

Minister Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry of Indonesia, and ASEAN Secretary-General Rodolfo C. Severino will open the two-day event.