"ASEAN recognizes the ASEAN Master Plan on Rural Development, which aims to provide a cohesive guiding framework for ASEAN rural development," said the ASEAN leaders in a joint statement, which was posted on the official ASEAN Secretariat website on Wednesday.
The master plan also includes a poverty alleviation agenda, which seeks to contribute to and has been shaped by the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In their statement, ASEAN leaders also acknowledged the need for promoting rural development to accelerate the achievement of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The purposes of the ASEAN Villages Network will include, first, providing a platform for whole-of-community and inclusive participation so that the people’s voices are heard and they can contribute to and benefit from development.
Second, supporting collaboration and cooperation among villages to enable villages to fast-track rural transformation.
Third, exchanging strategies for improving digital infrastructure, increasing digital usage, enhancing digital skills and inclusion, and promoting digital innovation in rural areas.
Fourth, supporting better and wider access for rural products to markets so as to provide more opportunities for village products to penetrate regional and international markets.
Fifth, exploring collaboration with external partners and private sector players to support the sustainability of the network, and sixth, strengthening ASEAN identity among village communities.
The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMMRDPE), with the support of the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) and other relevant ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies, has been tasked with mobilizing resources for the implementation of the ASEAN Master Plan on Rural Development, in accordance with the national laws, policies, and regulations of ASEAN member states.
ASEAN leaders also noted the significant progress made by ASEAN member states in achieving ASEAN Vision 2025, including the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community blueprint, which seeks to engage and benefit the people and is inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and dynamic.
That is in accordance with ASEAN's goals, as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, which are to enhance regional resilience, promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as enhance the well-being and livelihood of the peoples of ASEAN for the strengthening of the ASEAN community.
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Translator: Asri Mayang Sari
Editor: Sri Haryati
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