KUALA LUMPUR: The foreign ministers at the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM) held virtually on Tuesday took note of the efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on ASEAN.

Apart from the utilisation of US$10.5 million from the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund for the immediate procurement of vaccines, the meeting encouraged early operationalisation of the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies and the timely establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

According to the IAMM Chair's statement, in aiding recovery from the COVID-19 impact, the foreign ministers also relayed their commitment to the Implementation Plan of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework in a timely and effective manner.

On the same note, they also welcomed the establishment and expeditious conclusion of the Task Force on the Operationalisation of the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework (ATCAF).

The foreign ministers had also discussed the ASEAN Community post-2025 vision, where they reiterated that the political stability in ASEAN member states is essential in achieving a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community.

“We underscored the need to maintain our unity, centrality, and relevance in the region and to collectively address common challenges," the statement said.

The ministers had also exchanged views on regional and international issues of concern, including the situation in the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula, and underscored the need to maintain the unity, centrality and relevance in the region and to collectively address common challenges.

The foreign ministers agreed to maintain ASEAN’s proactive and outward-looking approach in the conduct of ASEAN’s external relations based on shared interest, constructive engagements, and mutual benefits.

The statement said ASEAN is looking forward to convening the Special ASEAN-United States Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the near future, and other engagements with its external partners, as well as activities to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations.

Meanwhile, the statement said ASEAN foreign ministers had also expressed their concern on the situation in Myanmar and called on all parties to refrain from instigating further violence, and for all sides to exercise utmost restraint as well as flexibility.

They also called on all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution, through constructive dialogue, and practical reconciliation in the interests of the people and their livelihood.

They had expressed ASEAN’s readiness to assist Myanmar in a positive, peaceful and constructive manner.

“We also heard some calls for the release of political detainees and for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar to engage the parties concerned,” the statement said.

On the situation in the Rakhine State, the foreign ministers said: "We also underscored the importance of Myanmar’s continued efforts in addressing the situation in the Rakhine State, including commencing the repatriation process, in voluntary, safe and dignified manner in accordance with its bilateral agreements with Bangladesh

Brunei holds the chairmanship for this year’s ASEAN chair.

-- BERNAMA