1. We, the Leaders of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, met for the 9th BIMP-EAGA Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on 25 April 2013, to review the progress of cooperation and to provide further direction in the pursuit of our shared vision of establishing BIMP-EAGA as a regional food basket and ecotourism destination through enhanced connectivity for trade and investment, whilst ensuring sustainable management of the environment. We reiterated the importance of sub-regional economic cooperation of BIMP-EAGA as a strategy in supporting the realisation of the ASEAN Community.
2. Trade will continue to be one of the main cornerstones of BIMP-EAGA cooperation. As such, we are pleased to note that total trade value of BIMP-EAGA grew significantly by 70% from USD 100 billion in 2009 to USD 170 billion in 2011. Intra-EAGA trade represented nearly 25% of the total EAGA trade over the same period. We are also pleased to note the positive trend in foreign direct investment in BIMP-EAGA Member Countries have grown significantly by 129% from USD 24 billion in 2009 to USD 55 billion in 2011.
3. We are pleased with the progress in implementing the Priority Infrastructure Projects, since our endorsement of the Implementation Blueprint (IB) 2012 – 2016 at the 8th BIMP-EAGA Summit in 2012. We took note that the 2013-2014 rolling pipeline projects that have been identified will further contribute to the attainment of the BIMP- EAGA vision. We look forward to the finalisation of the “Result-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Framework” to provide indicators and assessment of the substantive outcomes and impacts of these projects to our community. We reiterated on the need for effective and timely implementation of the IB and therefore, we tasked our Sectoral Ministers to jointly coordinate and implement these BIMP-EAGA priority projects.
4. We recognised the need to synergise through greater coordination, among the four pillars of BIMP-EAGA, i.e. connectivity, food basket, tourism and environment, to further improve economic development and also narrow the development gap within the BIMP-EAGA Member Countries. We are pleased that, under the connectivity pillar, transport initiatives continue to be sustained. Amongst others, we welcomed the commencement of Malaysia’s MASwings flights on 1 February 2013 between Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Balikpapan, Indonesia as well as flights between Kuching, Malaysia and Balikpapan, Indonesia. We also welcomed the additional designation of Tawau and Mulu in Malaysia; Makassar in Indonesia; and Cagayan De Oro in Philippines as BIMP-EAGA points for fifth freedom traffic rights.
5. We welcomed the initiatives to improve the ICT literacy in the rural community through the ICT Rural Outreach Program (iROP). We commended the ICT sector for the successful launching of Phase I of the BIMP-EAGA Rink project as a stepping stone to develop the BIMP-EAGA region as a communications hub. We are pleased to note the convening of the inaugural Informal BIMP-EAGA Telecommunications and ICT Ministers Meeting on 14 November 2012 in Cebu, Philippines which provided further direction in moving the ICT agenda forward.
6. We recognised the performance of the tourism sector in the last three years which has demonstrated strong potential for growth. The combined foreign and domestic arrivals in BIMP-EAGA registered a 31% increase, from 13 million in 2009 to 17 million in 2011. We, therefore, appreciated the continuous efforts of the tourism sector to promote the Equator Asia tourism brand and thus, we welcomed the arrangement of various BIMP-EAGA signature tourism events. We also welcomed their efforts in pursuing various infrastructure development and promotion activities, as well as capacity building program at the Community-Based Ecotourism Pilot Sites, and hosting a BIMP-EAGA familiarisation tour for media and travel writers from China.
7. In strengthening food security in the sub-region, we commended the successful conduct of the 1st BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Consumer Fair and the BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Business Transformation Leaders Conference: Promoting High-Value Agriculture through Public-Private Partnerships held in Melaka, Malaysia on 30 November – 2 December 2012 and the positive outcomes of the conference in forging new private sector joint venture initiatives namely, on Biotech Organic Fertilisers and Swiftlet Eco-Park. We look forward to the conduct of the 2nd BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Consumer Fair to be hosted in the Philippines in 2014. We also commended the private sector joint venture initiatives in the Hybrid Rice Seed production.
8. We tasked our Sectoral Ministers to look into ways of ensuring sustainable use of natural resources in the sub-region, in an effort to conserve the environment for future generations. In this regard, we encouraged active engagement with global environment players to support our work in ensuring the preservation of two of the richest biodiversity areas in the world, namely the Heart of Borneo and the Coral Triangle (Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Eco-region).
9. We recognised the ever-increasing initiatives that are currently being pursued under the BIMP-EAGA cooperation and on the need to effectively coordinate and monitor them through a fully-functioning central secretariat. We look forward to the finalisation of the institutional arrangements for the establishment of the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Centre (BIMP-FC) by the next Ministerial Meeting.
10. We called on the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) to continue to advocate greater ease of doing business and facilitation of cross-border trade and investment in the sub-region. We urged the private sector, our Senior Officials, local governments and officials from the various sectors to strengthen public-private partnerships and reinforce collective efforts at exploring innovative modalities for partnerships, particularly in the area of enhancing connectivity, establishing food basket and promoting tourism in BIMP-EAGA.
11. We thanked our Regional Development Advisor, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), for their continued assistance in the operationalisation of the Implementation Blueprint (IB) 2012-2016 and in the provision of technical assistance projects in supporting the development of connectivity infrastructure and trade facilitation. We urged ADB to continue its support and also consider providing their assistance in delivering projects.
12. We appreciated the ASEAN Secretariat’s increasing engagement with BIMP- EAGA and therefore, we welcomed the conduct of the ASEAN Secretariat – BIMP EAGA Consultation on 4 March 2013 in its efforts to align the BIMP-EAGA development with the ASEAN Community agenda. We urged them to pursue identified follow through activities to strengthen ASEAN – BIMP-EAGA collaboration. We support the higher profiling of BIMP-EAGA with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners and External Parties.
13. We are pleased with BIMP-EAGA’s engagement with China and Japan. We look forward to greater cooperation by all stakeholders to establish actual joint venture undertakings with China and with Japan. We tasked our Senior Officials to identify new Development Partners.
14. We expressed our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Brunei Darussalam for the warm hospitality and the excellent meeting arrangements.
“Our People, Our Future Together”
Bandar Seri Begawan, 24-25 April 2013
1. We, the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States, gathered in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam for the 22nd ASEAN Summit on 24-25 April 2013. We had productive discussions under the theme “Our People, Our Future Together”, with an emphasis on the role of our people in ASEAN’s community building efforts and the future of ASEAN beyond 2015. We noted the importance of realising a truly ‘People-Centred’ ASEAN as a central element of a post-2015 vision of ASEAN.
Realising the ASEAN Community: Moving Forward
2. While encouraged by the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN Charter and the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community, we agreed to further intensify our work to realise an ASEAN Community that is politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible in order to take advantage of current and future opportunities, and effectively respond to regional and international challenges.
3. Recalling the adoption of the Bali Concord III Plan of Action (2013-2017) in Phnom Penh in November 2012, we reaffirmed our commitment to its implementation, and welcomed the support of our Dialogue Partners, which will facilitate the region’s efforts in addressing global issues of common interest. We also recalled the Phnom Penh Agenda for ASEAN Community Building and Phnom Penh Declaration on ASEAN: One Community One Destiny adopted at the 20th ASEAN Summit and encouraged the relevant Ministers to continue their implementation.
4. We reiterated our commitment to narrowing the development gaps by implementing the IAI Work Plan II (2009-2015) and the ASEAN Roadmap towards realising the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with special focus on achievable goals and possible scenarios and priorities beyond 2015. We encouraged all relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies to continue working together in addressing cross-cutting issues of the MDGs. We also tasked the relevant Ministers to undertake a mid-term evaluation of the IAI Work Plan II in order to identify proper ways of moving forward in its second phase (2013-2015).
5. Acknowledging the importance of the various ASEAN organs in helping ASEAN Member States to fully implement their commitments to realise the ASEAN Community, and to better prepare ASEAN to meet the challenges of the future, we noted the establishment of a High-Level Task Force to review and make recommendations on ways to strengthen all ASEAN organs.
6. Noting that ASEAN will face an increasingly complex geopolitical situation, the Leaders tasked the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) to review ASEAN’s processes and institutions in order to safeguard ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture, and provide recommendations by the 23rd ASEAN Summit.
7. Recalling the Bali Declaration on ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations (Bali Concord III), recognising the target date to realise an ASEAN Community is fast approaching and the need to consider the next stages of ASEAN’s integration efforts as well as how to continue strategically positioning ASEAN in the evolving regional architecture, we tasked the ASEAN Community Councils to initiate work on a post-2015 vision and we looked forward to further discussions on this issue at the 23rd ASEAN Summit.
ASEAN Political-Security Community
8. We acknowledged the progress and achievements made in the implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint and we commended our Ministers for their efforts to enhance peace and security in the region through the APSC Council and its sectoral bodies.
9. We underlined the importance of promoting greater transparency, confidence and understanding of regional defence polices and security perceptions among ASEAN Member States and its regional partners. In this regard, we looked forward to the first publication of the ASEAN Security Outlook (ASO) in 2013. We also looked forward to the launching of the Commemorative Publication for the 20th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
10. We reaffirmed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as the key code of conduct governing inter-state relations in the region and a foundation for the maintenance of regional peace and stability. In this regard, we looked forward to the accession of Norway to the TAC in June 2013.
11. We commended the shared commitment and collective responsibility of our Defence Ministers and armed forces in enhancing regional peace and security, including by moving forward the five priority areas of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) process. We also welcomed the ADMM-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine Exercise (ADMM-Plus HADR & MM Ex) to be held in Brunei Darussalam on 17-20 June 2013 as a significant contribution to cooperation amongst the ADMM-Plus countries in their efforts to enhance confidence building and regional capacity in addressing non-traditional security challenges, in particular disaster management. We looked forward to the convening of the 2nd ADMM Plus in August 2013.
12. We encouraged cross-sectoral coordination and multi-stakeholder participation, including greater civil-military coordination in emergency response operations. We also encouraged the various mechanisms related to disaster management in ASEAN to synchronise their activities and policies using the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) as the common platform for disaster management. In this regard, we looked forward to the convening of the ARF Disaster Relief Exercise (DiREx) in Thailand on 7-11 May 2013, the Mentawai Megathrust Exercise 2013-2014 in Indonesia, involving the East Asia Summit (EAS) Participating Countries, and the Disaster Emergency Response Exercise (ARDEX), in Viet Nam in October 2013.
13. We reaffirmed our commitment to preserving Southeast Asia as a nuclear weapon-free zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction. We looked forward to the signing of the Protocol to the Treaty on Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and its related documents without reservations as early as possible. We also looked forward to the extension of the Plan of Action to Strengthen the Implementation of the Treaty on the SEANWFZ for another five years (2013-2017).
14. We are determined to strengthen cooperation in addressing the issue of terrorism and transnational crime in the region. In this regard, we encouraged the relevant sectoral bodies to re-double their work in implementing their respective Work Plans and Work Programmes related to the priority areas of transnational crime as well as in effectively tackling the increasing non-traditional security threats in the region. In this regard, we looked forward to the outcome of the 9th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) to be held in September 2013 in Lao PDR. We re-emphasised the importance of the Declaration on Drug- Free ASEAN 2015 and looked forward to the outcome of the 2nd ASEAN Special Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters to be convened in September 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.
15. We welcomed the progress made in considering the development of a Regional Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking in Persons (RPA) and an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP), which reflects the need to urgently combat trafficking in persons in the region.
16. We recognised that maritime security, including maritime safety, is crucial to a vibrant, peaceful, stable and resilient Southeast Asia, and therefore encouraged the strengthening of regional cooperation in maritime security through, inter alia, capacity building, exchanging of experiences and sharing of best practices by utilising existing ASEAN frameworks, including the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the Expanded AMF.
17. We looked forward to the full and effective operationalisation of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) in Jakarta as early as possible, which would promote research activities on peace, conflict management and conflict resolution in the region.
18. We acknowledged that the presence of landmines and other explosive remnants of war in the soil poses constant threats to the safety of the people and hinders national socio- economic development and aggravates humanitarian problems in many countries in the region. In this regard, encouraged our Ministers to conclude the Terms of Reference on the modalities of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) in order to enable its early establishment.
19. We acknowledged that the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) is a milestone in ASEAN’s efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights in the region and encouraged the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to enhance its activities, including the implementation of the AHRD, in close coordination with the various ASEAN sectoral bodies.
ASEAN Economic Community
20. We are pleased with the progress of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), where 259 measures or 77.54% of the AEC Blueprint have been implemented. We took note that since the adoption of the AEC Blueprint in November 2007, per capita income in the region had risen from US$2,267 to US$3,759 in 2012. The total trade of ASEAN grew by 16.8%, from US$2.05 trillion in 2010 to US$2.4 trillion in 2011, as intra-ASEAN trade reached US$598 billion from US$520 billion, an increase of 15.1%, over the same period. ASEAN also continued to attract foreign investors, generating a record US$114 billion FDI inflows in 2011, a 23% increase from US$92 billion in 2010.
21. Given the current regional and global economic landscape, we recognised the need to enhance ASEAN competitiveness by better facilitating trade and investment, leveraging upon on-going work to establish the AEC, and therefore better position ASEAN strategically. Therefore, we tasked our Ministers to develop a roadmap that will set out initiatives to ease the way of doing business, address investment impediments, institutionalise discussions on regulatory improvement and incorporate innovation policies into ASEAN’s efforts.
22. We also looked forward to further progressing our work for trade and investment facilitation including the development of the Work Programme on ASEAN Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) and realising the ASEAN Single Window, ASEAN Customs Transit System, as well as strengthening the Protocol on Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism, which will bring in line relevant ASEAN economic agreements with the principle of ASEAN as a rules-based community. We further encouraged the setting up of an inter-agency body in each ASEAN Member State to undertake further work in addressing non-tariff barriers.
23. To further supplement these facilitation efforts, we reiterated the need for the development of an ASEAN Business Travel Card to ease the movement of our business people and investors.
24. We recognised that to foster our small and medium enterprises (SMEs), it is critical to create job opportunities and promote social safety nets, in line with our goal to narrowing development gaps in the region. In this regard, we encouraged the relevant Ministers to empower SMEs, especially in the Priority Integration Sectors, through training, advisory and financial support, to take advantage of our integration efforts. We also called on business organisations to lend support to this endeavour and tasked the relevant Ministers to look into ways to provide a strategic regional platform for long-term SME development cooperation.
25. We are encouraged by the rapid expansion of our tourism sectors and commended the joint efforts of the public and private sectors to facilitate and enhance the travel experiences of tourists. We appreciate the continuing efforts for further integration, such as the signing of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Tourism Professionals and the establishment of a Regional Secretariat for ASEAN Tourism Professionals. We encouraged our Ministers to support the establishment of both visa-free travel in ASEAN countries for ASEAN nationals, and ASEAN immigration lanes. In addition, we acknowledged the continued efforts in considering the proposal for an ASEAN Common Visa for non-ASEAN nationals that will facilitate business mobility and tourism.
26. We are pleased with the implementation of the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework (AIFS) and the Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Food Security (SPA-FS) 2009- 2013 which will further promote food security in the region. We recognised the importance of private sector and civil society engagement in addressing regional food security and urged them to strengthen collaboration and partnership with other government agencies, Dialogue Partners and international institutions to implement and monitor the progress of the AIFS Framework and SPA-FS.
27. We are determined to enhance ASEAN energy cooperation in order to address major energy challenges and thus to ensure a secure and reliable energy supply to the ASEAN region. We aimed to strengthen coordinating efforts between ASEAN Member States to accelerate the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2010-2015.
28. We commended the efforts of the ASEAN Transport Ministers on the progress made in land, sea and air transport in supporting ASEAN Connectivity. We noted the completion of the Master Plan and Feasibility Study on the Establishment of an ASEAN Roll-On Roll-Off Shipping Network and Short Sea Shipping and we looked forward to the signing of Protocol 7 on ASEAN Customs Transit System by the ASEAN Finance Ministers. In supporting the establishment of the ASEAN Single Aviation Market, we acknowledged the endorsement of the vision and objectives of the Air Traffic Management Harmonisation that envisage ASEAN airspace as a seamless block of airspaces in Asia-Pacific.
29. We noted that industries such as automotives, electrical appliances and textile and garments industries in the region are increasingly operating in ASEAN as a single market. Recalling the objective to realise the opportunities and business complementarities towards making ASEAN a more dynamic and stronger segment of the global supply chain and the world economy, we recognised the need to undertake the above-mentioned facilitation efforts particularly for the priority sectors.
30. We welcomed the progress made towards realising the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). We noted that the negotiations will commence in May 2013 in Brunei Darussalam, with a view to completing them by 2015. We looked forward to the broadening and deepening of existing ASEAN+1 FTAs and envision the RCEP to be a platform for future trade and investment integration in Asia and the rest of the world.
31. We welcome the decision of the ASEAN Economic Ministers to engage Hong Kong on a bilateral basis for an ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement that will be mutually beneficial for our people.
32. We welcomed the initiatives to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the regional safety net, Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation and looked forward to the institutionalisation of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) as an international organisation to effectively conduct regional surveillance in identifying risks and vulnerabilities in the region. We are also pleased with the progress of the Asian Bond Market Initiative in deepening the region’s capital market.
33. Acknowledging the importance of financial literacy in the daily lives of our people, we welcomed Brunei Darussalam’s initiative to convene an ASEAN Conference on Financial Literacy in 2013. The conference seeks to provide a platform for policymakers, academics as well as other relevant stakeholders to share experiences and understanding on best practices in effectively promoting financial literacy in the region.
34. We continued to encourage our Ministers to enhance private sector engagement at various levels in efforts to support the AEC integration initiatives. We further called on the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and other business associations to take an active role in undertaking communications activities on the benefits of the AEC aimed at stakeholders within as well as outside the region.
35. We reaffirmed the importance of the sub-regional initiatives of BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT, ACMECS, GMS, CLMV and CLV Triangle Development to supplement the efforts under the AEC in realising the vast business opportunities and achieve economic wellbeing for our people. In this regard, we encouraged stronger collaboration between ASEAN and these sub- regional groupings.
36. We welcomed the initial progress in the realisation of the ASEAN Framework for Equitable Economic Development (AFEED). Recognising the need to accelerate efforts in promoting the third pillar of the AEC, we encouraged the development of a comprehensive work plan with concrete activities to effectively implement AFEED. We also stressed the importance of synergising AFEED with other on-going efforts to support equitable economic development.
ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community
37. We reaffirmed the need to forge a common ASEAN identity and build a caring and sharing society. We recognised that the long-term goal is a people-centred and socially- responsible ASEAN Community that achieves enduring solidarity and unity among all nations and people in Southeast Asia.
38. We acknowledged the significance of the Mid-Term Review of the implementation of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint. In this regard, we expressed appreciation to Brunei Darussalam for its financial support to the regional-level analysis of the Blueprint Implementation as announced in March 2013. We encouraged ASEAN sectoral bodies and ASCC national focal points to closely collaborate in the mid-term evaluation exercise. We looked forward to receiving a report of the Review at the 23rd ASEAN Summit.
39. We acknowledged the key role our young people will play in ensuring the development and sustainability of the region. We also expressed our strong support for initiatives that instil a sense of community including the establishment of an ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme (AYVP) and a regional youth volunteer initiative. We recognised that young professionals are in a unique position to boost ASEAN solidarity by offering voluntary community services in areas such as rural development, disaster relief, health, education and the environment as well as supporting vulnerable groups, including people who are differently-abled, and fostering entrepreneurial skills.
40. We recognised the importance of nurturing the role of the youth in promoting economic development to benefit the next generation. Thus, we encouraged the private sector to engage young entrepreneurs in raising ASEAN awareness. In this regard, we looked forward to the 1st ASEAN Youth Entrepreneur Seminar and Expo, which will be held back-to-back with the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (AMMY) in May 2013, and the early implementation of the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Festival adopted at the 7th AMMY in Viet Nam in 2011, which serves as a platform for young leaders to actively participate in exploring economic opportunities in the region.
41. We welcomed the inclusion of sports as a priority, with 2013 designated as the ASEAN Sports Industry Year. We agreed that cooperation with the private sector in sports and related activities will not only promote healthier lifestyles among our people as we move towards the ASEAN Community in 2015 but also further contribute to building a stronger regional identity. In addition, we welcomed Myanmar’s hosting of the 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in December 2013.
42. Recognising the contribution of women to the overall ASEAN community building efforts, we welcomed the on-going initiatives of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) to promote public awareness through an annual public campaign to stop violence against women and children, and the drafting of an ASEAN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.
43. We acknowledged the significance of prioritising our efforts to address climate change and disaster management in 2013. We recognised that the human impact of climate change is related to adaptation issues that are directly linked to the Socio-Cultural Pillar of the ASEAN Community. We encouraged efforts to develop an ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI) and to consider an ASEAN Action Plan on Joint Response to Climate Change.
44. We agreed that disaster preparedness is crucial as ASEAN Member States continue to face challenges of increasing global temperatures, more severe floods and droughts, as well as rising sea levels. We welcomed the progress in the implementation of the first phase of the AADMER Work Programme during 2010-2012 and committed to support the launching of the second phase of the Work Programme for 2013-2015.
45. We welcomed Thailand’s hosting of the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit entitled “Water Security and Water-related Disaster Challenges: Leadership and Commitment”, in May 2013, which will provide an opportunity to exchange views on how to address challenges regarding water resources management.
46. We noted that transboundary haze pollution remains a concern in the region. In this regard, we agreed to further intensify regional and international cooperation including those under the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, particularly to promote efforts among ASEAN Member States to ensure the full and effective implementation of the zero burning techniques in land clearing.
47. We noted with satisfaction the various regional activities undertaken by the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) to implement the Bali Declaration on the Enhancement of the Role and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community and the ASEAN Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2011-2020).
48. We emphasised the importance of promoting the health of the people of ASEAN, and encouraged the continued strengthening of regional capacities to monitor and address the potential for communicable disease outbreaks originating from within or outside of our region. We recognised that the promotion of healthy lifestyles and increasing access to health services will ensure the mitigation of the ill-effects of non-communicable diseases.
49. Recognising the need to promote greater awareness of ASEAN and build a common identity among the youth, we encouraged more initiatives to utilise the ASEAN Curriculum Sourcebook in 2012. We also encouraged ASEAN Member States to identify innovative ways to utilise the Sourcebook, such as its translation into local languages and incorporating the material into national school curricula to emphasise ASEAN studies in our schools.
50. We expressed strong commitment to further strengthen human resource development in the region. We acknowledged the importance of education cooperation in improving regional productivity and prosperity and welcomed cooperative projects underway. We welcomed progress made on the ASEAN Credit Transfer System (ACTS) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Quality Assurance Framework to accelerate student mobility and human resource empowerment in the region.
51. We recognised the need to engage non-governmental organisations, private sectors, and other stakeholders in ASEAN’s community building process. In this regard, we were pleased to note the efforts undertaken by ASEAN sectoral bodies.
52. We noted the on-going drafting process of the ASEAN instrument on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers under the ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM) and looked forward to deliberations on the Instrument to be concluded according to the agreed timeline.
ASEAN Connectivity
53. We noted the progress in realising the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and emphasised the importance of increasing its implementation rate, particularly through more effective coordination, communication and resource mobilisation towards our vision of an ASEAN Community by 2015. We recognised the importance of mobilising financial and technical resources, utilisation of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF), and the promotion of public-private partnership (PPP). In this connection, we took note of the 4th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium entitled “Partnering Private Sector for ASEAN Connectivity” to be held in August 2013 and Thailand’s initiative to host the Workshop on “Enhancing Connectivity through Multi-layered Regional Frameworks: The Roles of Dialogue Partners” in July 2013. We welcomed all ASEAN Dialogue Partners, external parties as well as the private sector in assisting ASEAN in the implementation of the MPAC.
Timor-Leste’s Official Application for ASEAN Membership
54. We were encouraged by the progress in discussions of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC), and the ACC Working Group (ACCWG), on all relevant aspects related to the application by Timor-Leste, as well as its possible implications on ASEAN, and agreed to explore the possibility of Timor-Leste’s participation in ASEAN activities within the context of its need for capacity building.
ASEAN Awareness
55. Acknowledging the importance of promoting greater awareness of our work in ASEAN for our peoples in order to connect them beyond their borders, to bridge the cultural gap, and to articulate the benefits of regional integration, we tasked all the ASEAN Community Councils to give emphasis on communicating their efforts to the relevant sectors, people and stakeholders, including, through the use of various media such as traditional, mainstream and new media. In this regard, we looked forward to the early finalisation of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan.
External Relations
56. We reiterated the importance of ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional architecture and reaffirmed our commitment to work closely with all our partners through various ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ASEAN Plus One, ASEAN Plus Three, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ADMM-Plus and East Asia Summit (EAS).
57. We welcomed interest from our external partners to enhance their cooperation with ASEAN and in this regard, we tasked our Ministers to continue their work on reviewing the mechanisms for engaging our external partners.
58. We noted with satisfaction the progress of ASEAN’s relations with its Dialogue Partners and external parties, including their positive contributions to ASEAN’s community building. We therefore encouraged our Ministers to further enhance these relations through ASEAN’s various mechanisms to ensure the maintenance of peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region.
Regional and International Issues
South China Sea
59. We discussed the situation in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, and maritime security in the region. We underscored the importance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), ASEAN’s Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea, and the Joint Statement of the 10th Anniversary of the DOC. In this regard, we reaffirmed the collective commitments under the DOC to ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, without resorting to the threat or use of force, while exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities.
60. We looked forward to continued engagement with China in implementing the DOC in a full and effective manner, including through mutually agreed joint cooperative activities and projects. Taking into account the importance of the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership in 2013; and the positive momentum following the 19th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultations, we tasked our Ministers to continue to work actively with China on the way forward for the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) on the basis of consensus.
Situation in the Middle East
61. We reaffirmed our support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people for an independent state of Palestine and a two-state solution where both countries and peoples can live side by side in peace. We called on all parties to make efforts for the resumption of peace talks and remove obstacles related thereto, in particular the construction of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Developments on the Korean Peninsula
62. We expressed concern over the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula. We encouraged the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to comply fully with its obligations under all relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions and to its commitments under the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. We reaffirmed our full support for all efforts to bring about the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner as well as the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks. We emphasised the importance of dialogue aimed at promoting mutual understanding and confidence among all parties concerned with ensuring peace, security and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Group of Twenty (G20)
63. Acknowledging the importance of continuing the participation of the ASEAN Chair in the G20 Summits, we appreciated the invitation by the Russian Federation to the G20 St. Petersburg Summit in September 2013, and in other related G20 meetings throughout 2013. In this regard, we tasked officials to develop the ASEAN Position Paper for the G20 Summit to reflect ASEAN’s views on the G20 agenda, as well as on global and regional issues.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
64. We underscored the important role that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) plays in the Asia Pacific region, in particular in promoting the Bogor Goals of open and free trade and investment, in strengthening capacity building, as well as in building human security in the region. In this regard, we fully support the APEC 2013 chairmanship of Indonesia in playing a leading role to further these objectives, through its three priorities of ‘Attaining the Bogor Goals’, ‘Achieving Sustainable Growth with Equity’ and ‘Promoting Connectivity’.
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
65. We align ourselves to the APEC Ministers’ call, during the recent APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade held in Surabaya on 20-21 April 2013, to expeditiously and effectively advance the WTO Members’ engagement in preparing for MC9 in Bali in December this year. The Bali outcomes should include agreements covering trade facilitation, elements of agriculture and development, as well as issues of interest to least developed countries. We therefore, give our full support and cooperation to Indonesia to help bridge the gaps for the adoption of a Bali package that works for all.
