As part of enhancing the engagement and deepening multilateral collaborations in the ASEAN region, and in anticipation of collaboration for upcoming co-operative development events in the region, ICA-AP met the ASEAN secretariat and the EU Delegation to ASEAN states (Jakarta) in March this year. The meetings were organized right after the Asia Pacific Co-operative Development Conference on building Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships on Sustainable Development in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Drs. Robby Tulus, Former ICA-AP Regional Director (1996-2001) led the meetings on behalf of the ICA-AP.

Drs. Tulus visited the ASEAN Secretariat with Suroto Ph, a former youth cooperativist and currently Chairperson of the National Association of Socio-Economic Cadres and the Institute for Indonesian Co-operative Development Studies (LSP2i)  who represented Ms. Eva Sundari (Member of Indonesian Parliament). Ms. Sundari has been a key advocate for co-operative development in the country.  The delegation met with Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Assistant Director and Head of the Agriculture and Forestry Division, Sectoral Development Directorate along with Mr. Joseph Arbiol, Senior Officer of the Food, Agriculture and Forestry Division, and  Mr. Hiroaki Kinoshita, the counterpart of Institute for Development of Agricultural Co-operatives in Asia, in Indonesia. Dr. Minh explained the role and functions of the Sectoral Development Directorate, that deals with Transport, ICT & Tourism, Energy and Minerals, and sectors like  Food, Agriculture, Forestry, Science and Technology, under the directorship of Mr. Tran Dong Phuong.

ASEDAC (ASEAN Centre for the Development of Agricultural Co-operatives) has been the key conduit for Agricultural Co-operatives’ engagement with the Secretariat since they are considered as part of the “ASEAN Centres & Facilities”. ACEDAC members are government representatives from various ministries in ASEAN countries in charge of co-operative development. ICA Asia and Pacific had had important interventions at the ACEDAC in the past with participation of former Regional Directors Drs. Tulus and Mr. G.K. Sharma (1986-1996). Dr. Minh explained that most activities in the field of food, agriculture and forestry, are coordinated with line ministries, and there were only few activities in which the Ministry of Co-operatives (particularly in Indonesia) was directly involved.  Of the key instruments and funds, ASEAN Cooperation Projects that contribute to the achievements of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and the Blueprint of 2025  along with the availability of  funds from the ASEAN Development Fund (ADF) were highlighted as key.

Drs. Tulus accompanied a group of ICA AP stakeholders in Indonesia to the office of the EU Delegation to ASEAN, on Friday, 9th March 2018. The group consisted of Prof Burhanuddin Abdullah and Mrs Anita (IKOPIN),  Mr. Ilham Nasai and Mr. Wibisono (DEKOPIN) and Mr. Suroto Ph (INKUR).  With the absence of the Ambassador, Francisco Fontan, the EU Delegation to ASEAN was represented by Mr. Daniele de Bernardi, Program Manager (Environment, Climate Change, Forestry) of the Cooperation section. The ICA-AP delegation apprised the EUD on the ICA-EU partnership agreement with the European Union through the DG Devco and sought cooperation for the co-operative sector. Mr. Bernadi stated that through thematic and regional cooperation programmes, the EU planned to continue to concentrate its support on Indonesia’s priority sectors including higher education, health, trade, green infrastructure, green growth, climate change and forestry, and added that the South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and civil society support, will continue. ICA-AP informed the delegation of its intention to organize a Capacity Building seminar aimed to enhance EU advocacy and project proposal writing for ASEAN co-operatives in July this year. Mr. Bernardi welcomed the idea and stated that the EUD will be happy to send a representative to participate.  The visit proved to be fruitful to develop first contact and introductions to build on for a developed relationship among co-operatives, the EU and the ASEAN Secretariat.