Ahead of the 20th ASEAN Summit on April 3-4, the Preparatory Meeting of ASEAN Senior Economic Officials (SEOM) was held on Friday, aimed at boosting the economic connectivity in the region.

The closed-door meeting was held in the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia and was chaired by H.E. Mr. PICH Rithi, Cambodia-SEOM Leader to the ASEAN.

According to the press release, during the meeting, the senior officials discussed the preparations for the Joint Preparatory Meeting, the issues to be taken up at the 7th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting, the deliverables for the 20th ASEAN Summits and related Meetings, the implementation of the ASEAN Framework on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the preparation for the 11th ASEAN Economic Ministers-EU Trade Commissioner Consultation, as well as the Modalities of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee.

Meanwhile, to smooth the path to set up a review body for the peace and reconciliation in the region, ASEAN senior officials also expressed their deliberations on the modalities for the establishment of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation.

The Permanent Representatives to the ASEAN from 10 ASEAN member states also gathered here for the 6th Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the ASEAN.

The representatives mainly discussed the preparations for the 20th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, ASEAN Community Building and External Relations, the draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Asian Development Bank and ASEAN, among others.