PONTIANAK – The ministers of the four countries who attended the BIMP-EAGA emphasized that sub-regional cooperation remains the key to ensuring sustainable and inclusive regional development. For this reason, BIMP-EAGA must be adaptable and agile in the midst of emerging megatrends such as technological disruptions, climate change, or the multidimensional crisis that will occur.

Learning from the results of the 2025 vision Mid-Term Review (MTR), BIMP-EAGA needs to develop a Post 2025 Vision with more comprehensive elements. It is expected to answer the various challenges that will occur.

“Resolving this challenge will open opportunities for BIMP-EAGA to maximize wider regional cooperation, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) as a part of the regional integration agenda,” said the Minister of Economy, Airlangga.

The Minister of Economy, Airlangga, proposed the three elements that need to be considered in preparing the Post-2025 Vision: increasing new comparative power, developing agglomeration-based projects that are sub-regions or involving all regions, and building sustainable sub-regions to support the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Meanwhile, regarding the progress of BIMP-FC legalization that will function as a Joint Secretariat, the ministers stated the agreement to accelerate the establishment of the secretariat, in order to optimize the potential of BIMP-EAGA.

The Ministers took note of Brunei Darussalam's proposal to establish a Joint Secretariat in Bandar Seri Begawan, and committed to accelerating internal consultations, so this problem could be resolved immediately. "So I think it's time for us to give Brunei Darussalam the opportunity to host the BIMP-FC," the Minister of Economy, Airlangga stated.