Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today officiated the graduation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Attachment Officers at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, marking the successful completion of the one-year programme by 15 officers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, and Timor-Leste (CLMV-TL).
Supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan–ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), the IAI Attachment Programme aims to strengthen the capacity of government officials by providing first-hand exposure to the work of the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN cooperation mechanisms.
This year’s programme hold particular significance with the participation of Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s newest Member State, reflecting ASEAN’s continued commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s effective integration into the ASEAN Community through sustained capacity-building efforts.
In his remarks, Secretary-General Dr. Kao highlighted the IAI Attachment Programme as one of ASEAN’s flagships and longest-running capacity-building initiatives, underscoring its role in strengthening institutional capacity, nurturing future leaders, and narrowing development gaps across the region. He also expressed ASEAN’s appreciation to the Government of Japan for its long-standing support for the programme.
Implemented under the IAI Work Plan IV (2021–2025), the programme provides Attachment Officers with practical experience across divisions within the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Departments, enhancing their understanding of ASEAN policies, processes, practices and regional cooperation.