The 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on August 10 issued a joint c ommuniqué on its outcomes. Following is the full text of the Communiqué.
Joint Communiqué
47 th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
8 August 2014
Nay Pyi Taw , Myanmar
1. We, the Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), met on 8 August 2014 at the 47 th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar . His Excellency U Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar chaired the Meeting. We had fruitful deliberation under the theme “ Moving forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community ”.
Realising an ASEAN Community
2. We are encouraged by the adoption of the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration on the Realisation of the ASEAN Community by 2015 at the 24 th ASEAN Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 10-11 May 2014, which provided policy guidance to ensure the successful establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015. We welcomed the progress of implementation of the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) and reiterated our continued commitment for the realisation of a politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible, people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN Community by 2015 and beyond.
ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision
3. We welcomed the progress of work by the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision in formulating the ASEAN Community’s post-2015 vision. We welcomed the submissions by all ASEAN Member States of their proposed central elements of the ASEAN Community’s post-2015 vision and looked forward to the ACCWG’s recommendations on the central elements to be submitted to the 25 th ASEAN Summit through the 15 th Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council.
ASEAN Charter
4. We reaffirmed our commitment to undertake all necessary measures to effectively implement the ASEAN Charter which provides the legal and institutional framework for the community building and integration process as well as for ASEAN to be a rules-based organisation. We welcomed ASEAN Member States’ efforts in carrying out internal procedures to ratify outstanding legal instruments under the ASEAN Charter, and we encouraged the ratification of ASEAN agreements by all ASEAN Member States. We welcomed the recent ratification of the Protocol to the ASEAN Charter on Dispute Settlement Mechanisms and the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by Cambodia .
Promoting ASEAN’s Principles, Norms and Values
5. We agreed to maintain and promote ASEAN as a flag-bearer for regional norms of good conduct, through the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Treaty for the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ Treaty), the Declaration of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) which have gained strong support from external partners both within and outside the region.
ASEAN’s Centrality
6. Recognising the rapidly changing regional strategic landscape, we underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s unity and cohesiveness in advancing our collective regional interests in order to preserve ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture. We will continue to further enhance ASEAN’s common voice in matters of common interest and concern, particularly issues related to regional peace, stability, security, and development. In this regard, we welcomed the constructive and fruitful discussion on strengthening ASEAN Centrality at the Special ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on ASEAN Centrality in Ha Noi on 26-27 June 2014.
7. To maintain ASEAN’s credibility as a key regional and international player, we agreed to raise the role of ASEAN in the international arena through the implementation of the Bali Concord III Plan of Action (2013-2017). We agreed that ASEAN can demonstrate its centrality and leadership in the evolving regional architecture by effectively responding to existing and emerging challenges, and by being proactive in engaging Dialogue Partners and other external parties.
Narrowing the Development Gap and Initiative for ASEAN Integration
8. Recognising that seamless regional integration and full enjoyment of shared benefits is essential for the success of the ASEAN Community, we agreed to redouble our efforts of Narrowing Development Gap (NDG) among ASEAN Member States. In this respect, we expressed our support for the full implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan II (2009-2015) and tasked our officials to initiate work on developing the Post-2015 work plan for the IAI as decided by our Leaders at 24 th ASEAN Summit. We further looked forward to the outcomes of the IAI Task Force’s deliberation on its recommendations with a view to identifying concrete practical actions and programmes to effectively support CLMV’s integration efforts. In this regard, we welcomed the continued support and assistance by the ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Dialogue Partners as well as other external partners in the efforts to contribute towards a full regional integration in ASEAN. We also emphasised the importance of enhancing our work on an ASEAN Framework for Equitable Economic Development (AFEED).
9. We acknowledged the achievements made by relevant sub-regional initiatives such as the Greater Mekong Sub region (GMS), the Indonesia – Malaysia – Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam (CLMV) and Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Development Triangle. We further welcomed closer collaboration between relevant sub-regional mechanisms in the region, including the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), Friends of the Lower Mekong Initiative (FLMI), the Mekong-Japan, Mekong-Korea, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and Ayeyawady-ChoPhraya Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) . We also encouraged sharing of experience regarding the development and sustainable utilisation of water resources between countries in Danube and Mekong regions.
Enhancing efficiency and coherence of ASEAN institutions
10. We noted with satisfaction the progress of work of the High Level Task Force (HLTF) on Strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat and Reviewing the ASEAN Organs. This should ensure improved efficiency and coordination of ASEAN organs and bodies together with deepened ASEAN’s external relations and a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat in accordance with the ASEAN Charter and other ASEAN decisions, which would enable the ASEAN Community to cope with the existing and emerging challenges facing the region. We encouraged the HLTF to be bold in their recommendations, and looked forward to the HLTF ’s recommendations to the 15 th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting (15 th ACC) later this year.
ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY
11. Recognising that regional peace and stability was a precondition for growth and an important factor in ASEAN’s future, we reaffirmed our commitment to enhance our efforts in political and security cooperation to contribute to the peace and security of individual ASEAN Member States as well as for the whole ASEAN Community.
Implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint
12. We welcomed the significant progress in the implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint which aims to promote peace and security in the region by elevating ASEAN’s political and security cooperation to a higher plane. We agreed to intensify work on the remaining action lines under the APSC Blueprint. We commended the efforts of ASEAN Member States to expedite the implementation of the APSC Blueprint by volunteering to lead and co-lead the remaining action lines. We also encouraged relevant sectoral bodies to expedite the completion of on-going action lines under their purview.
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
13. We recognised the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as the key code of conduct governing inter-state relations in Southeast Asia and provided a foundation for the maintenance of regional peace and stability. We welcomed the growing interest of other non-ASEAN Member States to accede to the TAC, and agreed to consider new applications in accordance with the Revised Guidelines for Accession to the TAC. We reaffirmed the importance of further upholding the principles enshrined in the TAC, which aim to promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation among its parties, thus contributing to our strength, solidarity and closer relationship among the peoples of the region.
Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone
14. We stressed the importance of strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime to maintain peace, security and prosperity in the region. We reaffirmed our commitment to preserve Southeast Asia as a nuclear weapon–free zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. We further reaffirmed our commitment to uphold the SEANWFZ Treaty. We underlined the importance of full and effective implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty and the Plan of Action to Strengthen the Implementation of SEANWFZ Treaty (2013-2017) which was adopted by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 30 June 2013.
15. We reiterated our commitment to work closely with the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) on the early signing and ratification of the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty without reservations by NWS. We also acknowledged the need to work closely with the NWS to address our concerns over the NWS’ proposed reservations to the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty.
16. To support the realisation of the objective of the SEANWFZ Treaty and ASEAN Charter, we envisaged the significance of the full adherence of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in the region. Therefore, as an essential step to achieve it, we stressed the vital importance of ratification of the CTBT by all ASEAN Member States as soon as possible.
Cooperation between ASEAN and the International Atomic Energy Agency
17. Recognising the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in nuclear non-proliferation and the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, we agreed to explore ways to formalise relations between ASEAN and the IAEA.
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in ASEAN
18. Underlining the importance of fostering the development and well-being of our peoples, we reaffirmed our commitment to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples in the region in accordance with the principles of the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and the ASEAN Leaders’ Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD. We noted the 2014 annual report of the AICHR and welcomed the progress of work undertaken by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the overarching human rights institution in ASEAN, including in the dissemination and implementation of the AHRD, which contributes actively to the building of the ASEAN Community. We commended the efforts of the AICHR on its various programs and activities and encouraged it to work in close consultation, coordination and collaboration with the ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, engage in dialogue with other ASEAN bodies and entities associated with ASEAN as well as consult, as may be appropriate, with other relevant institutions, external partners and entities concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights.
19. We welcomed the completion of its Thematic Study on Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Rights in ASEAN and noted the progress made at the first Coordination Meeting for the AICHR Thematic Study on the Right to Peace held on 18 July 2014 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. We also welcomed the Workshop on Human Rights, Climate Change and the Environment, which would be held in Myanmar and the workshop with ASEAN Sectoral Bodies concerned on Comparative Law Studies, which is expected to be held in Vientiane this year.
20. Cognizant of the fact that the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the AICHR shall be initially reviewed five years after its entry into force by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, we reiterated our commitment to review the TOR of the AICHR with a view to further enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN.
21. We recognised the progress of work by the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) in implementing the ACWC Work Plan 2012-2016. We welcomed the progress on the implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Elimination of Violence Against Children in ASEAN which was adopted by the Leaders at the 23 rd ASEAN Summit in October 2013. We noted the convening of a training course in Singapore on 8-10 April 2014 for frontline ASEAN social workers who work with women and children victims of violence, so as to arm participants with new skills and training to help them push back the wall of violence and make a positive difference to those they serve in their home countries.
22. Acknowledging that human rights is a cross-cutting issue, we encouraged enhanced coordination and consultation among AICHR, the ACWC and other relevant sectoral bodies to further promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of ASEAN. Mindful of the structure of AICHR as an overarching human rights institution in ASEAN, we tasked the ASEAN Secretariat to extend full support to the AICHR as it endeavors to promote and protect human rights in ASEAN.
Promoting Good Governance, Democracy and the Rule of Law
23. We commended the activities being undertaken under the purview of the ASEAN Conference on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM), including activities to promote transparency, accountability, participatory and effective governance which reflect our commitment to the Rule of Law. We welcomed the convening of the Regional Workshop on Elections as a Means to Promote Democracy and Security in ASEAN: Experiences and Best Practices as well as the meeting of the research team on experiences and lessons learned from the practice of democracy held on 7-9 July 2014 in Jakarta . The Regional Workshop served as a forum for the discussion of experiences and best practices in the holding of elections in a professional, non-partisan and transparent manner and how the convening of elections in such manner can promote democracy and security in ASEAN. We looked forward to the convening of other activities regarding the promotion of the democratic principles.
ASEAN Security Outlook
24. We welcomed the first annual publication of the ASEAN Security Outlook (ASO) in 2013 which we believed would contribute to the promotion of transparency in security-related policies and complement ASEAN’s confidence building efforts in the region. We looked forward to its second publication later this year.
ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation
25. We welcomed the progress of work of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), especially the outcomes of the second meeting of Governing Council of the AIPR and the first meeting of the Advisory Body of the AIPR in Bali in April 2014, and appreciated their efforts to fully operationalise the AIPR . We welcomed the holding of the AIPR Symposium on Peace and Reconciliation Processes and Initiatives in Manila , the Philippines , on 7-8 April 2014 and the Symposium on Peace and Reconciliation: Principles and Best Practices in Bali , Indonesia on 22-23 April 2014. To fulfill its role, we encouraged the AIPR to engage relevant stakeholders , including the civil society, to promote peace, reconciliation, conflict management, conflict resolution, and peace-building. We also encouraged the AIPR to collaborate with relevant regional and international think-tanks.
ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre
26. We welcomed the efforts towards the operationalisation of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) which serves as a regional centre of excellence in addressing the humanitarian aspects of the explosive remnants of war (ERW) for interested ASEAN Member States. With a view to implementing the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Establishment of the ARMAC, ASEAN Member States are invited to nominate their representatives to the Steering Committee of ARMAC as early as possible in accordance with the TOR of ARMAC which was adopted at the 23 rd ASEAN Summit on 9 October 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.
Maritime Cooperation
27. Acknowledging the significance of shipping and maritime trade for countries in the region, we stressed the importance of greater cooperation and coordination to ensure peace, stability, safety of sea-lanes, freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, maritime security and maritime safety as well as the sustainability of the marine environment in the region. In this respect, we emphasised the need to make full use of the existing ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)/ADMM-Plus, ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF)/Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF), and ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) to enhance cooperation and promote mutual trust and understanding.
28. Given the broad, multi-dimensional and complex nature of maritime issues, we acknowledged the importance of the AMF as a value-added forum for dialogue and coordination among concerned agencies in order to address regional maritime issues in a holistic and integrated manner. In this respect, we commended the AMF’s efforts in identifying the scope of action and future work to avoid duplication of work among sectoral bodies under all three pillars of the ASEAN Community. We also stressed the importance of the EAMF as a platform for ASEAN and its dialogue partners to discuss maritime-related issues across the political, economic, and socio-cultural pillars while promoting practical actions. We welcomed the convening of the fifth ASEAN Maritime Forum and the third Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum on 26-28 August 2014 in Viet Nam .
Defence and Security Cooperation
29. We were satisfied with the progress of defence cooperation under ASEAN within the ADMM, between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners under the ADMM Plus, and the ASEAN Security Policy Conference (ASPC) as well as the Defence Officials’ Dialogue under the ambit of the ARF. We expressed our support on the outcomes of the 8 th ADMM held on 20 May 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, including, among others, the adoption of the ADMM Three-Year Work Programme 2014-2016, the operationalisation of the ASEAN Defence Industry Collaboration (ADIC), the adoption of the Concept Paper on the Establishment of Direct Communication Link in the ADMM process, and the adoption of the Additional Protocol to the Concept Papers for the Establishment of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus.
30. We emphasised the importance of defence and military-to-military cooperation to build mutual trust and confidence. We noted the good progress of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus’ action-oriented efforts to advance practical cooperation amongst our militaries. We looked forward to further progress in practical cooperation led by the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups.
ASEAN Regional Forum
31. Recognising the continued progress and increasing role of the ARF as the primary forum to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern in the Asia-Pacific region, we expressed our commitment to work with participating partners to further strengthen the ARF process. We reaffirmed the importance of a phased approach to the ARF process, moving from Confidence Building Measures, Preventive Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at a pace comfortable to all to address common regional challenges. In this regard, we supported the efforts of the ARF Inter-sessional Support Group on Confidence-Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy and the ARF SOM in, inter alia , reviewing and making recommendations on the implementation of the Ha Noi Plan of Action to Implement the ARF Vision Statement. This will also help the ARF cooperation process become more action-oriented so that it can effectively contribute to enduring peace and stability in the region. We expressed our support to advance the ARF process to its second stage, through the implementation of action-oriented, practicable preventive diplomacy activities, including the Work Plan on Preventive Diplomacy. We welcomed the ARF’s work in Disaster Relief, Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Non-proliferation, and Disarmament and Maritime Security issues. We underscored the need for the ARF to continue pursuing synergy and effective coordination with the ADMM-Plus and other ASEAN-led mechanisms.
Non-traditional security issues
32. Recognising that greater regional integration brings additional challenges, we reaffirmed our resolve to respond to non-traditional security issues in an effective and timely manner, particularly in combating transnational crimes and trans-boundary challenges. In this regard, we welcomed the outcomes of the 8 th AMMTC held in Lao PDR on 15-19 September 2013 and the progress of the implementation of the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Work Programme (2013-2015). We looked forward to the effective implementation of the eight priority areas under the SOMTC Work Programme, namely trafficking in persons, counter terrorism, illicit drugs trafficking, money laundering, arms smuggling, sea piracy, international economic crime, and cybercrime.
Trafficking in Persons (TIP)
33. Recalling the ASEAN Leaders’ Joint Statement in Enhancing Cooperation against Trafficking in Persons in Southeast Asia adopted at the 18 th Summit held on 8 May 2011 in Jakarta , we note the progress on drafting an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP) and a Regional Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (RPA).
We looked forward to the conclusion of the ACTIP and RPA in 2014 and its submission to the 26 th ASEAN Summit in 2015. We emphasised the importance of the continued engagement between the AMMTC and our Dialogue Partners in combating trafficking in persons.
Counter Terrorism
34. We welcomed the ratification of the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT) by all ASEAN Member States in January 2013 and the completion of the review process of the ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter Terrorism (ACPoA on CT) in 27 March 2013. We encouraged relevant sectoral bodies to enhance their cooperation and coordination in addressing the root causes of terrorism, countering, preventing, and suppressing terrorism, disrupting terrorists’ networks, protecting the peoples of ASEAN and reducing the vulnerability of critical infrastructures against terrorist attacks. We must also promote harmony, tolerance and understanding among the societies.
Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking
35. Mindful of the target year for a Drug Free ASEAN in 2015, we encouraged all relevant ASEAN bodies to intensify their efforts to fulfill the vision outlined in the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on a Drug-Free ASEAN 2015. We welcomed the convening of the ASEAN Special Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters in 2012 and 2013. We looked forward to the outcomes of the Third ASEAN Special Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters to be hosted by Indonesia in December 2014.
Disaster Risk Reduction, Management, Relief and Rehabilitation
36. Emphasising ASEAN’s vision for disaster-resilient nations and a safer ASEAN Community, we were pleased to note the progress of ASEAN’s work on disaster management and the commencement of the implementation of the Work Programme Phase 2 (2013-2015) of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). We encouraged all relevant sectoral bodies to implement the ASEAN Declaration on Enhancing Cooperation in Disaster Management, which was adopted at the 23 rd ASEAN Summit held in Bandar Seri Begawan in October 2013.
37. We welcomed the establishment and commencement of work of the Joint Task Force comprising officials from the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and senior officials from other relevant ASEAN bodies to promote synergies on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). We were satisfied with its work to develop processes for the rapid deployment of resources from relevant ASEAN sectors as well as to develop strategies to further utilise the resources and processes developed by other ASEAN-led mechanisms, in particular the EAS, ADMM Plus and ARF, while maintaining ASEAN Centrality.
38. Noting that our region is prone to natural disasters and recognising the importance of disaster mitigation and preparedness, we welcomed the co-hosting of ARF Disaster Relief Exercises (DiREx) by Malaysia and China in February 2015 in Malaysia . ARF DiREx aims to improve civilian-military coordination efforts, create synergy, and synchronise efforts towards supporting the effective implementation of AADMER as the common platform for disaster management of the region. We also welcomed the adoption of the Terms of Reference of the Secretary-General of ASEAN as ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator (TOR-SG-AHAC) at the 14 th ACC on 10 May 2014. The TOR-SG-AHAC provides a clearer definition of the role of the Secretary-General of as ASEAN humanitarian assistance coordinator as mandated at the 14 th ASEAN Summit in March 2009.
39. In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, we realised that developing community resilience against natural disasters through capacity-building activities and projects are crucial to the long-term recovery and rehabilitation of affected areas. We noted the need to focus also on disaster prevention and early warning systems and disaster preparedness and mitigation programs. In this regard, we welcomed the pre-conference meeting on continuing support for the recovery of the communities affected by the Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) on 15 July 2014 at the ASEAN Secretariat and looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN High-Level Conference on Assistance for the Recovery of Yolanda - Affected Areas (ARYA) and the ASEAN Community Rebuilding Technical Workshop on 14 August 2014 in Manila.
40. We welcomed the convening of the 6 th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (6 th AMCDRR) held in Bangkok on 22-26 June 2014 under the theme “Promoting Investments for Resilient Nations and Communities”, which provided regional inputs to the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.-VNA
Joint Communiqué
47 th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
8 August 2014
Nay Pyi Taw , Myanmar
1. We, the Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), met on 8 August 2014 at the 47 th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar . His Excellency U Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar chaired the Meeting. We had fruitful deliberation under the theme “ Moving forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community ”.
Realising an ASEAN Community
2. We are encouraged by the adoption of the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration on the Realisation of the ASEAN Community by 2015 at the 24 th ASEAN Summit held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 10-11 May 2014, which provided policy guidance to ensure the successful establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015. We welcomed the progress of implementation of the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) and reiterated our continued commitment for the realisation of a politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible, people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN Community by 2015 and beyond.
ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision
3. We welcomed the progress of work by the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision in formulating the ASEAN Community’s post-2015 vision. We welcomed the submissions by all ASEAN Member States of their proposed central elements of the ASEAN Community’s post-2015 vision and looked forward to the ACCWG’s recommendations on the central elements to be submitted to the 25 th ASEAN Summit through the 15 th Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council.
ASEAN Charter
4. We reaffirmed our commitment to undertake all necessary measures to effectively implement the ASEAN Charter which provides the legal and institutional framework for the community building and integration process as well as for ASEAN to be a rules-based organisation. We welcomed ASEAN Member States’ efforts in carrying out internal procedures to ratify outstanding legal instruments under the ASEAN Charter, and we encouraged the ratification of ASEAN agreements by all ASEAN Member States. We welcomed the recent ratification of the Protocol to the ASEAN Charter on Dispute Settlement Mechanisms and the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by Cambodia .
Promoting ASEAN’s Principles, Norms and Values
5. We agreed to maintain and promote ASEAN as a flag-bearer for regional norms of good conduct, through the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Treaty for the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ Treaty), the Declaration of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) which have gained strong support from external partners both within and outside the region.
ASEAN’s Centrality
6. Recognising the rapidly changing regional strategic landscape, we underscored the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s unity and cohesiveness in advancing our collective regional interests in order to preserve ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture. We will continue to further enhance ASEAN’s common voice in matters of common interest and concern, particularly issues related to regional peace, stability, security, and development. In this regard, we welcomed the constructive and fruitful discussion on strengthening ASEAN Centrality at the Special ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on ASEAN Centrality in Ha Noi on 26-27 June 2014.
7. To maintain ASEAN’s credibility as a key regional and international player, we agreed to raise the role of ASEAN in the international arena through the implementation of the Bali Concord III Plan of Action (2013-2017). We agreed that ASEAN can demonstrate its centrality and leadership in the evolving regional architecture by effectively responding to existing and emerging challenges, and by being proactive in engaging Dialogue Partners and other external parties.
Narrowing the Development Gap and Initiative for ASEAN Integration
8. Recognising that seamless regional integration and full enjoyment of shared benefits is essential for the success of the ASEAN Community, we agreed to redouble our efforts of Narrowing Development Gap (NDG) among ASEAN Member States. In this respect, we expressed our support for the full implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan II (2009-2015) and tasked our officials to initiate work on developing the Post-2015 work plan for the IAI as decided by our Leaders at 24 th ASEAN Summit. We further looked forward to the outcomes of the IAI Task Force’s deliberation on its recommendations with a view to identifying concrete practical actions and programmes to effectively support CLMV’s integration efforts. In this regard, we welcomed the continued support and assistance by the ASEAN Member States and ASEAN Dialogue Partners as well as other external partners in the efforts to contribute towards a full regional integration in ASEAN. We also emphasised the importance of enhancing our work on an ASEAN Framework for Equitable Economic Development (AFEED).
9. We acknowledged the achievements made by relevant sub-regional initiatives such as the Greater Mekong Sub region (GMS), the Indonesia – Malaysia – Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam (CLMV) and Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Development Triangle. We further welcomed closer collaboration between relevant sub-regional mechanisms in the region, including the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), Friends of the Lower Mekong Initiative (FLMI), the Mekong-Japan, Mekong-Korea, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and Ayeyawady-ChoPhraya Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) . We also encouraged sharing of experience regarding the development and sustainable utilisation of water resources between countries in Danube and Mekong regions.
Enhancing efficiency and coherence of ASEAN institutions
10. We noted with satisfaction the progress of work of the High Level Task Force (HLTF) on Strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat and Reviewing the ASEAN Organs. This should ensure improved efficiency and coordination of ASEAN organs and bodies together with deepened ASEAN’s external relations and a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat in accordance with the ASEAN Charter and other ASEAN decisions, which would enable the ASEAN Community to cope with the existing and emerging challenges facing the region. We encouraged the HLTF to be bold in their recommendations, and looked forward to the HLTF ’s recommendations to the 15 th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting (15 th ACC) later this year.
ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY
11. Recognising that regional peace and stability was a precondition for growth and an important factor in ASEAN’s future, we reaffirmed our commitment to enhance our efforts in political and security cooperation to contribute to the peace and security of individual ASEAN Member States as well as for the whole ASEAN Community.
Implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint
12. We welcomed the significant progress in the implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint which aims to promote peace and security in the region by elevating ASEAN’s political and security cooperation to a higher plane. We agreed to intensify work on the remaining action lines under the APSC Blueprint. We commended the efforts of ASEAN Member States to expedite the implementation of the APSC Blueprint by volunteering to lead and co-lead the remaining action lines. We also encouraged relevant sectoral bodies to expedite the completion of on-going action lines under their purview.
Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
13. We recognised the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as the key code of conduct governing inter-state relations in Southeast Asia and provided a foundation for the maintenance of regional peace and stability. We welcomed the growing interest of other non-ASEAN Member States to accede to the TAC, and agreed to consider new applications in accordance with the Revised Guidelines for Accession to the TAC. We reaffirmed the importance of further upholding the principles enshrined in the TAC, which aim to promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation among its parties, thus contributing to our strength, solidarity and closer relationship among the peoples of the region.
Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone
14. We stressed the importance of strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime to maintain peace, security and prosperity in the region. We reaffirmed our commitment to preserve Southeast Asia as a nuclear weapon–free zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction as enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. We further reaffirmed our commitment to uphold the SEANWFZ Treaty. We underlined the importance of full and effective implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty and the Plan of Action to Strengthen the Implementation of SEANWFZ Treaty (2013-2017) which was adopted by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 30 June 2013.
15. We reiterated our commitment to work closely with the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) on the early signing and ratification of the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty without reservations by NWS. We also acknowledged the need to work closely with the NWS to address our concerns over the NWS’ proposed reservations to the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty.
16. To support the realisation of the objective of the SEANWFZ Treaty and ASEAN Charter, we envisaged the significance of the full adherence of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in the region. Therefore, as an essential step to achieve it, we stressed the vital importance of ratification of the CTBT by all ASEAN Member States as soon as possible.
Cooperation between ASEAN and the International Atomic Energy Agency
17. Recognising the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in nuclear non-proliferation and the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, we agreed to explore ways to formalise relations between ASEAN and the IAEA.
Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in ASEAN
18. Underlining the importance of fostering the development and well-being of our peoples, we reaffirmed our commitment to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples in the region in accordance with the principles of the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and the ASEAN Leaders’ Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD. We noted the 2014 annual report of the AICHR and welcomed the progress of work undertaken by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the overarching human rights institution in ASEAN, including in the dissemination and implementation of the AHRD, which contributes actively to the building of the ASEAN Community. We commended the efforts of the AICHR on its various programs and activities and encouraged it to work in close consultation, coordination and collaboration with the ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, engage in dialogue with other ASEAN bodies and entities associated with ASEAN as well as consult, as may be appropriate, with other relevant institutions, external partners and entities concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights.
19. We welcomed the completion of its Thematic Study on Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Rights in ASEAN and noted the progress made at the first Coordination Meeting for the AICHR Thematic Study on the Right to Peace held on 18 July 2014 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. We also welcomed the Workshop on Human Rights, Climate Change and the Environment, which would be held in Myanmar and the workshop with ASEAN Sectoral Bodies concerned on Comparative Law Studies, which is expected to be held in Vientiane this year.
20. Cognizant of the fact that the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the AICHR shall be initially reviewed five years after its entry into force by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, we reiterated our commitment to review the TOR of the AICHR with a view to further enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN.
21. We recognised the progress of work by the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) in implementing the ACWC Work Plan 2012-2016. We welcomed the progress on the implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Elimination of Violence Against Children in ASEAN which was adopted by the Leaders at the 23 rd ASEAN Summit in October 2013. We noted the convening of a training course in Singapore on 8-10 April 2014 for frontline ASEAN social workers who work with women and children victims of violence, so as to arm participants with new skills and training to help them push back the wall of violence and make a positive difference to those they serve in their home countries.
22. Acknowledging that human rights is a cross-cutting issue, we encouraged enhanced coordination and consultation among AICHR, the ACWC and other relevant sectoral bodies to further promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of ASEAN. Mindful of the structure of AICHR as an overarching human rights institution in ASEAN, we tasked the ASEAN Secretariat to extend full support to the AICHR as it endeavors to promote and protect human rights in ASEAN.
Promoting Good Governance, Democracy and the Rule of Law
23. We commended the activities being undertaken under the purview of the ASEAN Conference on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM), including activities to promote transparency, accountability, participatory and effective governance which reflect our commitment to the Rule of Law. We welcomed the convening of the Regional Workshop on Elections as a Means to Promote Democracy and Security in ASEAN: Experiences and Best Practices as well as the meeting of the research team on experiences and lessons learned from the practice of democracy held on 7-9 July 2014 in Jakarta . The Regional Workshop served as a forum for the discussion of experiences and best practices in the holding of elections in a professional, non-partisan and transparent manner and how the convening of elections in such manner can promote democracy and security in ASEAN. We looked forward to the convening of other activities regarding the promotion of the democratic principles.
ASEAN Security Outlook
24. We welcomed the first annual publication of the ASEAN Security Outlook (ASO) in 2013 which we believed would contribute to the promotion of transparency in security-related policies and complement ASEAN’s confidence building efforts in the region. We looked forward to its second publication later this year.
ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation
25. We welcomed the progress of work of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR), especially the outcomes of the second meeting of Governing Council of the AIPR and the first meeting of the Advisory Body of the AIPR in Bali in April 2014, and appreciated their efforts to fully operationalise the AIPR . We welcomed the holding of the AIPR Symposium on Peace and Reconciliation Processes and Initiatives in Manila , the Philippines , on 7-8 April 2014 and the Symposium on Peace and Reconciliation: Principles and Best Practices in Bali , Indonesia on 22-23 April 2014. To fulfill its role, we encouraged the AIPR to engage relevant stakeholders , including the civil society, to promote peace, reconciliation, conflict management, conflict resolution, and peace-building. We also encouraged the AIPR to collaborate with relevant regional and international think-tanks.
ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre
26. We welcomed the efforts towards the operationalisation of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) which serves as a regional centre of excellence in addressing the humanitarian aspects of the explosive remnants of war (ERW) for interested ASEAN Member States. With a view to implementing the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Establishment of the ARMAC, ASEAN Member States are invited to nominate their representatives to the Steering Committee of ARMAC as early as possible in accordance with the TOR of ARMAC which was adopted at the 23 rd ASEAN Summit on 9 October 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.
Maritime Cooperation
27. Acknowledging the significance of shipping and maritime trade for countries in the region, we stressed the importance of greater cooperation and coordination to ensure peace, stability, safety of sea-lanes, freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, maritime security and maritime safety as well as the sustainability of the marine environment in the region. In this respect, we emphasised the need to make full use of the existing ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)/ADMM-Plus, ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF)/Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF), and ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) to enhance cooperation and promote mutual trust and understanding.
28. Given the broad, multi-dimensional and complex nature of maritime issues, we acknowledged the importance of the AMF as a value-added forum for dialogue and coordination among concerned agencies in order to address regional maritime issues in a holistic and integrated manner. In this respect, we commended the AMF’s efforts in identifying the scope of action and future work to avoid duplication of work among sectoral bodies under all three pillars of the ASEAN Community. We also stressed the importance of the EAMF as a platform for ASEAN and its dialogue partners to discuss maritime-related issues across the political, economic, and socio-cultural pillars while promoting practical actions. We welcomed the convening of the fifth ASEAN Maritime Forum and the third Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum on 26-28 August 2014 in Viet Nam .
Defence and Security Cooperation
29. We were satisfied with the progress of defence cooperation under ASEAN within the ADMM, between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners under the ADMM Plus, and the ASEAN Security Policy Conference (ASPC) as well as the Defence Officials’ Dialogue under the ambit of the ARF. We expressed our support on the outcomes of the 8 th ADMM held on 20 May 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, including, among others, the adoption of the ADMM Three-Year Work Programme 2014-2016, the operationalisation of the ASEAN Defence Industry Collaboration (ADIC), the adoption of the Concept Paper on the Establishment of Direct Communication Link in the ADMM process, and the adoption of the Additional Protocol to the Concept Papers for the Establishment of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus.
30. We emphasised the importance of defence and military-to-military cooperation to build mutual trust and confidence. We noted the good progress of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus’ action-oriented efforts to advance practical cooperation amongst our militaries. We looked forward to further progress in practical cooperation led by the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups.
ASEAN Regional Forum
31. Recognising the continued progress and increasing role of the ARF as the primary forum to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern in the Asia-Pacific region, we expressed our commitment to work with participating partners to further strengthen the ARF process. We reaffirmed the importance of a phased approach to the ARF process, moving from Confidence Building Measures, Preventive Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at a pace comfortable to all to address common regional challenges. In this regard, we supported the efforts of the ARF Inter-sessional Support Group on Confidence-Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy and the ARF SOM in, inter alia , reviewing and making recommendations on the implementation of the Ha Noi Plan of Action to Implement the ARF Vision Statement. This will also help the ARF cooperation process become more action-oriented so that it can effectively contribute to enduring peace and stability in the region. We expressed our support to advance the ARF process to its second stage, through the implementation of action-oriented, practicable preventive diplomacy activities, including the Work Plan on Preventive Diplomacy. We welcomed the ARF’s work in Disaster Relief, Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Non-proliferation, and Disarmament and Maritime Security issues. We underscored the need for the ARF to continue pursuing synergy and effective coordination with the ADMM-Plus and other ASEAN-led mechanisms.
Non-traditional security issues
32. Recognising that greater regional integration brings additional challenges, we reaffirmed our resolve to respond to non-traditional security issues in an effective and timely manner, particularly in combating transnational crimes and trans-boundary challenges. In this regard, we welcomed the outcomes of the 8 th AMMTC held in Lao PDR on 15-19 September 2013 and the progress of the implementation of the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) Work Programme (2013-2015). We looked forward to the effective implementation of the eight priority areas under the SOMTC Work Programme, namely trafficking in persons, counter terrorism, illicit drugs trafficking, money laundering, arms smuggling, sea piracy, international economic crime, and cybercrime.
Trafficking in Persons (TIP)
33. Recalling the ASEAN Leaders’ Joint Statement in Enhancing Cooperation against Trafficking in Persons in Southeast Asia adopted at the 18 th Summit held on 8 May 2011 in Jakarta , we note the progress on drafting an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP) and a Regional Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (RPA).
We looked forward to the conclusion of the ACTIP and RPA in 2014 and its submission to the 26 th ASEAN Summit in 2015. We emphasised the importance of the continued engagement between the AMMTC and our Dialogue Partners in combating trafficking in persons.
Counter Terrorism
34. We welcomed the ratification of the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT) by all ASEAN Member States in January 2013 and the completion of the review process of the ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter Terrorism (ACPoA on CT) in 27 March 2013. We encouraged relevant sectoral bodies to enhance their cooperation and coordination in addressing the root causes of terrorism, countering, preventing, and suppressing terrorism, disrupting terrorists’ networks, protecting the peoples of ASEAN and reducing the vulnerability of critical infrastructures against terrorist attacks. We must also promote harmony, tolerance and understanding among the societies.
Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking
35. Mindful of the target year for a Drug Free ASEAN in 2015, we encouraged all relevant ASEAN bodies to intensify their efforts to fulfill the vision outlined in the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on a Drug-Free ASEAN 2015. We welcomed the convening of the ASEAN Special Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters in 2012 and 2013. We looked forward to the outcomes of the Third ASEAN Special Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters to be hosted by Indonesia in December 2014.
Disaster Risk Reduction, Management, Relief and Rehabilitation
36. Emphasising ASEAN’s vision for disaster-resilient nations and a safer ASEAN Community, we were pleased to note the progress of ASEAN’s work on disaster management and the commencement of the implementation of the Work Programme Phase 2 (2013-2015) of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). We encouraged all relevant sectoral bodies to implement the ASEAN Declaration on Enhancing Cooperation in Disaster Management, which was adopted at the 23 rd ASEAN Summit held in Bandar Seri Begawan in October 2013.
37. We welcomed the establishment and commencement of work of the Joint Task Force comprising officials from the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and senior officials from other relevant ASEAN bodies to promote synergies on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). We were satisfied with its work to develop processes for the rapid deployment of resources from relevant ASEAN sectors as well as to develop strategies to further utilise the resources and processes developed by other ASEAN-led mechanisms, in particular the EAS, ADMM Plus and ARF, while maintaining ASEAN Centrality.
38. Noting that our region is prone to natural disasters and recognising the importance of disaster mitigation and preparedness, we welcomed the co-hosting of ARF Disaster Relief Exercises (DiREx) by Malaysia and China in February 2015 in Malaysia . ARF DiREx aims to improve civilian-military coordination efforts, create synergy, and synchronise efforts towards supporting the effective implementation of AADMER as the common platform for disaster management of the region. We also welcomed the adoption of the Terms of Reference of the Secretary-General of ASEAN as ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator (TOR-SG-AHAC) at the 14 th ACC on 10 May 2014. The TOR-SG-AHAC provides a clearer definition of the role of the Secretary-General of as ASEAN humanitarian assistance coordinator as mandated at the 14 th ASEAN Summit in March 2009.
39. In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, we realised that developing community resilience against natural disasters through capacity-building activities and projects are crucial to the long-term recovery and rehabilitation of affected areas. We noted the need to focus also on disaster prevention and early warning systems and disaster preparedness and mitigation programs. In this regard, we welcomed the pre-conference meeting on continuing support for the recovery of the communities affected by the Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) on 15 July 2014 at the ASEAN Secretariat and looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN High-Level Conference on Assistance for the Recovery of Yolanda - Affected Areas (ARYA) and the ASEAN Community Rebuilding Technical Workshop on 14 August 2014 in Manila.
40. We welcomed the convening of the 6 th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (6 th AMCDRR) held in Bangkok on 22-26 June 2014 under the theme “Promoting Investments for Resilient Nations and Communities”, which provided regional inputs to the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.-VNA
