13-16 August 2013, Jakarta – The Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan (WP) II commenced this month. The Mekong Institute has been tasked to take stock of the progress of the implementation of the IAI WP II and assess current implementation approaches and modalities. The Review will come up with recommendations to make the implementation of IAI more effective and responsive to the needs of ASEAN’s newer member states: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV). 

The IAI is an initiative which aims to promote ASEAN integration, particularly by providing assistance geared towards the CLMV. The IAI Work Plan II (2009-2015) supports key programme areas in the three Blueprints for building the ASEAN Community. 

Representatives from the Mekong Institute came to the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on 13-16 August 2013 for the inception mission where they met with ASEAN officials and Secretariat staff, ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner representatives and various stakeholders in the implementation of the IAI. The MTR is expected to be completed by early next year. 

(Source: ASEAN Secretariat News, Monday, 19 August 2013)