Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat

Seminar & Forum 2024 Regional Economic Cooperation Seminar Held at the University of Tokyo, Japan 2024-07-17

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On July 17, 2024, the 2024 Regional Economic Cooperation Seminar was held at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Under the theme of “Celebrating 25 Years of Trilateral Cooperation: Exploring Regional Economic Integration and the Future of Trilateral Cooperation”, the seminar was co-organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP). TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivered the opening remarks, while Prof. KAWAGUCHI Daiji of the University of Tokyo delivered the welcome remarks. More than 30 people, including government officials, diplomats, university professors, researchers, and students, attended the seminar onsite.

In his opening remarks, Secretary-General LEE highlighted that the latest 9th Trilateral Summit, held on May 27, 2024, reaffirmed CJK’s commitment to implementing the “Trilateral Cooperation Vision for the Next Decade,” which outlines the three countries' long-term goal of achieving regional economic integration. Moreover, he expressed the hope that regional economic frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will accelerate the negotiation process for the long-awaited CJK Trilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Prof. KAWAGUCHI Daiji, the Dean of the GraSPP, stated in the welcome remarks that he was impressed by the Trilateral Economic Report 2024, which comprehensively covers the economic performance and the outlook of regional economic cooperation. In addition, he underscored that sharing the knowledge of the research outcome and insights among the experts is extremely important.

The seminar brought together ten leading experts from China, Japan, the ROK, and ASEAN. In Session I, speakers shared their insights on economic performance in China, Japan, the ROK, and ASEAN, emphasizing the importance of strengthening trilateral economic cooperation and integration. Session II focused on regional trade agreements such as RCEP and CPTPP, as well as the potential of the CJK FTA, are analyzed. Participants provided constructive suggestions and valuable insights on regional economic cooperation in all sessions.

The seminar received support from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, and the Asia Pacific Institute of China.