Abstract  1

Table of Contents  2

List of Exhibits  3

List of Abbreviations  4

1. Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Adoption of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan V (2026–2030)  9

2. Executive Summary  15

3. Introduction  19

3.1 History of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI)  19

3.2 Accession of Timor-Leste into ASEAN  21

3.3 Structure of IAI Work Plan V  22

4. Key Trends Impacting the Narrowing of the Development Gap (NDG) in ASEAN (2026–2030)  24

4.1 Unequal Access to Frontier Technologies  24

4.2 Labour Market Dislocations  25

4.3 Emergence of Sustainability-Led Growth Models  27

4.4 Shifting of Global Value Chains  28

5. Strategic Framework of IAI Work Plan V  31

5.1 Vision  31

5.2 Alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans  31

5.3 Strategic Areas of IAI Work Plan V  31

5.4 Strategic Area A: Food and Agriculture  32

5.5 Strategic Area B: Micro Enterprises and the Informal Sector  37

5.6 Strategic Area C: Education and Skills  44

5.7 Strategic Area D: Public Health  55

5.8 Strategic Area E: Local Community Empowerment and Resilience  61

5.9 Strategic Area F: Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Economic Development  68

5.10 Cross-Cutting Mechanisms  75