[Title] Chairman's Statement of the 17th ASEAN Summit “TOWARDS THE ASEAN COMMUNITY: FROM VISION TO ACTION”
1. We, the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States, gathered in Ha Noi for the 17th ASEAN Summit on 28 October 2010. We had extensive, open and fruitful discussions on various issues under the theme “Towards the ASEAN Community: From Vision to Action”.
2. We noted with satisfaction that in 2010, our Association, determined to turn ASEAN vision into action, has made further headway and remarkable progress in implementing the ASEAN Charter and the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community by 2015, comprising the Blueprints for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), and the 2nd Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan (2009-2015). We also recognized significant follow-ups to the important decisions of the 16th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi last April, including those related to ASEAN Connectivity, ASEAN centrality in an evolving regional architecture, and the ASEAN Leaders' Statements on Sustained Recovery and Development and on Joint Response to Climate Change.
3. We were pleased to note the remarkable progress in the implementation of the ASEAN Charter which provides the legal basis and institutional framework for the ASEAN Community and beyond. We noted with pleasure that further progress has been made in developing legal documents necessary for the implementation of the Charter, notably the adoption of the Rules for Reference of Unresolved Disputes to the Summit and the Rules of Authorisation for Legal Transactions under Domestic Laws. We tasked the relevant ASEAN bodies to expeditiously finalise the remaining guidelines, TORs, and ROPs in order to fully bring the Charter into full implementation.
4. We underscored the importance of effective and on-schedule implementation of the programmes/plans of the ASEAN Community building process. To achieve that, we tasked the relevant ASEAN bodies to come up further with comprehensive and practical measures especially reinforcing ASEAN mechanisms to supervise and evaluate implementation and operation in accordance with the ASEAN Charter.
Sustaining a resilient, dynamic and caring ASEAN Community
A people- oriented ASEAN
5. Strongly committed to a people-oriented, caring ASEAN Community, we appreciated the active participation by the people in the community building process.
• We are pleased with the ongoing work of the ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the establishment of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children (ACWC). We looked forward to the implementation of AICHR's priority program 2010-2011 and the finalisation of the 5 year work plan program in 2011.
• Recognising the significance of enhancing the welfare of ASEAN people in general and of women and children in particular, we further adopted the Hanoi Declaration on the Enhancement of Welfare and Development of ASEAN Women and Children. We tasked the relevant sectoral bodies to intensify cooperation and exchange of information and experience among ASEAN Member Countries in building up and implementing laws and policies to enhance social welfare and development for women and children.
6. Reaffirming the great importance of education and human resources development in achieving a dynamic, resilient, and sustained ASEAN Community, we adopted the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on Human Resources and Skills Development for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth. We are committed to strengthening cooperation on education, technical and vocational training and life-long learning. We stressed the need for medium and long-term measures to improve the quality of the workforce and to develop a workforce that is responsive to the requirements of the job market.
7. We welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on Cooperation in Search and Rescue of Persons and Vessels in Distress at Sea by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers. The Declaration demonstrates ASEAN's political will to reinforce the cooperation between the Member States in providing mutual assistance to persons and vessels in distress at sea.
A well-connected ASEAN
8. Stressing the importance of a fully integrated and well connected ASEAN in building the ASEAN Community, we endorsed the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. In this regard, we commended the High Level Task Force for their efforts in working out a comprehensive Master Plan, encompassing physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity, which serves to further enhance connectivity within ASEAN and promote the connecting between ASEAN and the wider region of East Asia in the long run. We also appreciated the intellectual contribution of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) as well as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank and UNESCAP in supporting the completion of the ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan. To ensure the effective implementation of the strategies and policies identified in the Master Plan, the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee will be established to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the Master Plan.
9. We welcomed the finalisation of an ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF), as a manifestation of ASEAN's determination and self-reliance, to mobilize financial resources within ASEAN to add support for regional infrastructure development. To fill the huge resource required to realize the ASEAN Connectivity initiative, we called on external partners, multilateral development banks, regional and global funds, other interested parties, and especially, the private sector to take part directly in the implementation of the Master Plan. In this connection, we welcomed a Seminar to be held early December 2010 in Viet Nam to unveil the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity to the public and encouraged the active participation of all above-mentioned stake holders in this event.
A Community of enhanced peace and stability
10. We were satisfied with tangible progress made in implementing the Blueprint for the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), particularly in the 14 priority areas. We stressed further the importance of effective coordination among various sectoral bodies under the purview of the APSC and the need for a strategic and holistic approach in the implementation of the APSC Blueprint and the APSC Communication Plan.
11. We were pleased to note that the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in the Southeast Asia (TAC), considered as the key code of conduct governing inter-State relations in the region, continued to be strengthened. In this regard, we welcomed Canada and Turkey becoming the latest High Contracting Parties to the TAC during the 43rd AMM and related Meeting in Hanoi 20-23 July 2010. We were further encouraged by the signing of the Third Protocol amending the TAC on 23 July 2010 in Hanoi, enabling accession by not only States but also regional organisations whose members are Sovereign States such as the EU/EC in the foreseeable future. We also noted the further progress made in implementing the SEANWFZ Treaty, including efforts in consulting nuclear-weapon states in relation to the SEANWFZ Protocol.
12. We reaffirmed the importance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed between ASEAN and China, which embodies the collective commitment to promoting peace and stability in this area through dialogue and cooperation and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally agreed principles of international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) and other relevant international maritime laws. We stressed the need to intensify efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the DOC and move toward the eventual conclusion of a regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). In this connection, we encouraged continued consultations between ASEAN and China, including the early convening of the ASEAN-China SOM on the DOC.
13. We welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting - Plus (ADMM- Plus) with eight Dialogue Partners with its first meeting in Hanoi on 12 October 2010 as a milestone in the evolution of cooperation in the defence area. We viewed that the ADMM- Plus would provide an important, useful and effective platform for ASEAN and its key dialogue partners to promote constructive dialogue and confidence building as well as strengthen further cooperation in addressing common security challenges in the region, in accordance with the ADMM's open, flexible and outward-looking nature.
14. We welcomed the positive outcomes of the first Meeting of ASEAN Chiefs of Security Agencies (MACOSA) on 28-30 September in Ha Noi. We believed that the new mechanism would help enhance confidence building, intra-ASEAN cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Security Agencies and other relevant bodies in ensuring national security of each ASEAN Member State, thus contributing to peace, stability and security of the region.
15. We welcomed the convening of the first ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) on 28-29 July 2010 in Surabaya-Indonesia and believed that the AMF would contribute to the promotion of common understanding and approaches in addressing cross-cutting issues of maritime affairs in a comprehensive, holistic and integrated manner.
16. We reaffirmed the importance of promoting greater transparency as well as understanding of defence policies and security perceptions in the region. We look forward to the finalisation of ASEAN Security Outlook as stipulated by the ASEAN Political Security Community Blueprint.
17. We noted with pleasure the adoption of the Ha Noi Action Plan to Implement the ARF Vision Statement by the 17th ARF in July 2010. We believed that the effective implementation of the Ha Noi Plan of Action would further contribute to confidence building, peace and stability in the region.
18. We stressed the need to work towards the early entry into force of the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT). We also endeavoured to accede and ratify the relevant international instruments on counter terrorism. We encouraged continued cooperation with our dialogue partners in countering terrorism, including improving capacity as well as exchange of information in dealing with terrorism.
A more-integrated ASEAN with sustained economic development
19. We were pleased that encouraging progress had been made towards achieving the AEC by 2015. We welcomed, among others, the entry into force of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) on 17 May 2010; the finalisation of the Protocol 7 to the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit (AFAFGIT) on the ASEAN Custom Transit System at the 17th ASEAN Summit; and the signing of the 8th ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) Protocol on 28 October 2010.
20. We welcomed the launch of the "ASEAN Regional Guidelines on Competition Policy" and the "Handbook on Competition Policy and Law in ASEAN for Business" by the ASEAN Economic Ministers on 24 August 2010 in Da Nang, Viet Nam. We believed that the two documents would improve further the regional business environment for domestic and trans-national enterprises operating in ASEAN.
21. We were pleased to note the adoption of the ASEAN Framework of Cooperation in Statistics (AFCS) 2010-2015 by the ASEAN Heads of Statistical Offices Meeting (AHSOM) which would facilitate an ASEAN Community Statistical System to produce, disseminate and communicate regional statistics in support of the ASEAN Community.
22. We welcomed the finalisation of the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Full Liberalisation of Passenger Air Services (MAFLPAS), and the ASEAN Strategic Transport Plan (ASTP) 2011-2015 targeted for signing and endorsement, respectively by the ASEAN Transport Ministers at their 16th Meeting (ATM-16) in November 2010. The MAFLPAS, together with the Multilateral Agreement on Air Services (MAAS) and the Multilateral Agreement on Full Liberalisation of Air Freight Services (MAFLAFS) would realise the ASEAN's Open Skies Policy. We expressed confidence that these Agreement and the ASTP 2011-2015 would accelerate works on enhancing the ASEAN transport infrastructure connectivity, transport facilitation, the establishment of the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (ASAM) and the ASEAN Single Shipping Market (ASSM) as well as enhancing transport connectivity with Dialogue Partners, especially those in the East Asia.
23. We were delighted to note that the ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2011-2015 which includes key initiatives such as the ASEAN Broadband Corridor, ICT Skills Certification and harmonization of ICT regulations would be launched by the Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers. We believed that the Master Plan would help advance regional ICT cooperation in a more concerted manner, making ICT a vibrant driving force for social and economic transformation, bridging digital divide, and enhancing ASEAN competitiveness.
24. We noted with pleasure, the progress on implementing the ASEAN Plan of Actions on Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2010-2015; the development of the ASEAN Patent Search and Examination Cooperation (ASPEC) and the ASEAN Intellectual Property DIRECT; the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2011-2015, which is the successor of the Roadmap for the Integration of the Tourism Sector 2005-2010; and the Strategic Plan of Action for ASEAN Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development 2010-2015.
25. We recognised the significant importance of SMEs for the ASEAN economies and tasked relevant bodies to double their efforts to pursue a strong, dynamic and efficient SME sector that would ensure the sustainable, inclusive and broad-based economic and social development. We also called on Dialogue Partners and Development Partners to continue their supports and assistance in its efforts to promote the development of SMEs in ASEAN.
26. We underscored the importance of implementing the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework and the Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN Region. In this connection, we looked forward to the early signing of ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), which also contributes to the stability of food supply for our people.
27. Despite the above mentioned good progress, we noted that some deliverables under the AEC Blueprint for 2008-2009 based on the AEC Scorecard still needed to be achieved. We, therefore, requested the relevant Ministers :
• To continue to exert maximum efforts and to work out effective and innovative solutions to ensure timely implementation of the AEC Blueprint measures and to address the issues on constitutional, legislative and regulatory limitations that may impede the implementation of the intra- and extra-ASEAN commitments.
• To strengthen the National Coordinating Agency of each ASEAN Member State in coordinating implementation of the AEC Blue Print at the national level as implementation effectiveness hinges on the ability of Member States to effectively coordinate across various ministries and agencies.
A caring and sustainable ASEAN
28. We noted with satisfaction the progress made in implementing the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint, particularly in enhancing social welfare and development for women and children; responding to climate change and disasters; developing human resources to sustain economic recovery; coping with global challenges; enhancing cultural cooperation towards creating ASEAN awareness and building ASEAN Community.
29. We welcomed the outcome of the 4th ASCC Council Meeting on 16 August 2010 in Da Nang, Viet Nam, and tasked the ASCC Council to come up with proper mechanism and measures to ensure the timely and effective implementation of actions and plans of the ASCC Blueprint.
30. We welcomed efforts to build an ASEAN Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on Joint Response to Climate Change adopted at the 16th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi last April. We tasked relevant Ministers to double their efforts to work out at an early date, a feasible Plan of Action in line with the sub-core elements of the ASCC Blueprint on ensuring environmental sustainability, to help achieve sustained ASEAN Community and contribute to the global efforts to protect the environment.
31. We welcomed the 21st ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM) in Ha Noi on 24th May 2010, which discussed a wide range of strategic issues and emerging policies on human resources development, employment, social protection, industrial relations, labour inspection and migrant workers; and adopted two milestone documents on regional cooperation, namely, the ASEAN Guidelines on Good Industrial Relations Practices, and the ASEAN Labour Ministers' Work Programme 2010-2015. We were pleased to note that a number of activities had been carried out with remarkable recommendations, including the 2nd Human Resources Conference, the 3rd Forum on Migrant Workers and ASEAN Labour Inspection Conference. We looked forward to the early conclusion of the ASEAN Instrument on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.
32. We noted with satisfaction the current effort in the development of the Five Year Work Plan on Education 2011-2015 to faciliate the implementation of relevant action of the ASCC Blueprint and the Cha-Am HuaHin Declaration on Strengthening Cooperation on Education to Achieve an ASEAN Caring and Sharing Community.
33. We looked forward to the operationalisation of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) in Jakarta, Indonesia, in accordance with the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, which would serve as an effective mechanism to reduce disaster losses in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets, and to jointly respond to disaster at national and regional level.
34. We stressed the need to continue efforts in enhancing ASEAN cooperation in the field of public health. We, therefore, welcomed an endorsement of ASEAN Strategic Framework on Health Development (2010-2015) at the 10th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting held in July 2010 which focuses on four major areas, namely food safety, access to health services and promote healthy lifestyle; communicable diseases; and pandemic preparedness and response.
35. We welcomed the suggestion to include the cultural aspects of ASEAN awareness in promoting people-to-people connectivity to complement ASEAN physical and institutional Connectivity and we instructed relevant ASEAN bodies to look into the question and come up with concrete measures.
Bridging the Gap for a harmonious ASEAN
36. Reaffirming the importance of narrowing the development gap between Member States to accelerate ASEAN integration in order to achieve the goal of a more balanced, inclusive and sustained ASEAN Community, we were committed to intesifying efforts in narrowing the development gap in ASEAN through the effective implementation of initiatives like the IAI and the AMBDC.
37. We tasked relevant sectoral Ministers, the IAI Task Force and the ASEAN Secretariat to strengthen coordination and accelerate the implementation of the IAI Work Plan II. We called on Dialogue Partners and Development Partners to continue their supports and assistance to ASEAN in its efforts to bridge the development gap. In this connection, we welcomed the successful outcome of the 3rd IAI Development Cooperation Forum (IDCF-3) held on 19 October 2010 in Jakarta.
Enhancing ASEAN Centrality in the regional architecture
38. In line with decisions of the 16th ASEAN Summit, we reaffirmed our determination to ensure ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture by pursuing a two-pronged approach which gives priority to the acceleration of ASEAN integration while intensifying ASEAN's external relations. We agreed to take proactive efforts in deepening ASEAN's relations with dialogue partners through the ASEAN+1 framework as well as to strengthen the ASEAN-driven regional fora such as the ASEAN+3, EAS, ARF and ADMM Plus.
39. We stressed the importance of promoting a regional architecture based on multiple existing regional frameworks which are mutually supporting and reinforcing with ASEAN as the primary driving force. We agreed to continue our efforts in encouraging constructive and deeper engagement by ASEAN's major partners in the evolving regional architecture through appropriate existing regional processes, with a view to promoting peace, security and prosperity in the region.
40. We decided to formally invite Presidents of the Russia Federation and the United States of America to participate in the EAS starting from 2011, after having consulted with non-ASEAN participants of the EAS. In this connection, we stressed the importance of maintaining ASEAN' centrality, the EAS' established objectives, principles, modalities as well as current agenda and priorities. We shared the view that the EAS should also focus on consolidation and reflection following the admission of the Russia Federation and the United States of America. Their participation in the EAS will provide further momentum to the natural evolution of our regional architecture.
Broadening and Deepening ASEAN's External Relations
41. We were pleased to note the remarkable progress made in ASEAN's cooperation with external partners within the frameworks of ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN-United Nations. We reaffirmed our determination to strengthen ASEAN cooperation with external partners with a view to maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region, and supporting ASEAN's efforts in community building and regional integration.
42. We stressed the role of ASEAN as the driving force, working in close partnership with its FTA partner, in consolidating ASEAN's Plus 1 FTAs and contributing towards a broader regional economic integration.
43. We noted with satisfaction that 44 non-ASEAN countries and organisations had accredited their Ambassadors to ASEAN in Jakarta. The large number of non-ASEAN Ambassadors accredited to ASEAN reflects not only ASEAN's prestige but also the success of ASEAN's engagement policy with external partners.
44. We looked forward to the convening of the ASEAN-Australia Summit on 30 October 2010 to review and further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. We welcomed the contributions of Australia through the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program Phase II (AADCP II) in supporting ASEAN's implementation of economic integration policies and priorities.
45. We were satisfied with the rapidly developed ASEAN- China relations in various fields. We noted the successful conclusion of the Plan of Action to implement the Joint Declaration on the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity for the period of 2005-2010, and looked forward to the adoption of a new Plan of Action for the period of 2011-2015 at the 13th ASEAN-China Summit on 29 October 2010 to further bring forward ASEAN-China multifaceted relations. ASEAN would work closely with China in undertaking meaningful activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in 2011.
46. We looked forward to the adoption of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity (2010-2015), which would serve as a key instrument to make ASEAN-India cooperation more action-oriented. We tasked ASEAN officials work closely with their Indian counterpart to establish an EPG to take stock of the 20 years of ASEAN-India cooperation and chart out future direction of ASEAN-India dialogue relations.
47. We were pleased with the important outcomes in implementing the Plan of Action to implement the Tokyo Declaration for the Dynamic and Enduring ASEAN-Japan Partnership in the New Millennium. We also highly appreciated Japan's assistance in supporting regional integration and narrowing the development gap based on ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership (Mekong-Japan Summit, BIMP-EAGA, IMT-GT and “Growth Initiative towards Doubling the Size of Asia's Economy”). We looked forward to substantive outcomes at the 13th ASEAN- Japan Summit and the 2nd Mekong-Japan Summit on 29 October 2010.
48. We looked forward to the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit on 30 October 2010 to further broaden and deepen our cooperation. We looked forward to the adoption of three important documents, namely the ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership (2010-2015), the Plan of Action (2010-2015) to implement the Declaration and the Joint Statement of ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit.
49. We shared the view that ASEAN-ROK relations should be elevated towards strategic partnership to reflect the maturity and growing partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (ROK). We looked forward to the 13th ASEAN-ROK Summit on 30th October 2010 to adopt a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity and a Plan of Action to implement that Joint Declaration.
50. We looked forward to the Second ASEAN-Russian Federation Summit on 30th October where we will adopt the Joint Statement of the 2nd ASEAN- Russia Summit. We welcomed the signing of the ASEAN-Russia Agreement on Cultural Cooperation which would promote and deepen cultural cooperation between the two sides. We tasked our Ministers and officials to work with the Russian colleagues for undertaking the substantive activities to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Relations in 2011.
51. We welcomed the outcome of the Second ASEAN-US Leaders' Meeting on 24 September 2010 in New York especially the agreement towards elevating ASEAN-US partnership to the strategic level. We expressed our support for the work of the ASEAN-US Eminent Persons Group aimed at coming up with recommendations to further broaden and deepen ASEAN-US relations for consideration at the 3rd ASEAN-US Leaders' Meeting in 2011.
52. We were pleased with the progress in ASEAN Plus Three cooperation and the implementation of the 2nd Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation and the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan (2007-2017). We reaffirmed that the ASEAN Plus Three process would continue to be a main vehicle towards the long-term goal of building an East Asian community with ASEAN as the driving force. At the same time, we supported the mutually reinforcing and complementary roles of the ASEAN Plus Three process and such regional fora as EAS, ARF, ADMM Plus, APEC and ASEM to promote East Asian community building.
53. We were pleased with the dynamic development of the EAS, especially the enhanced dialogue ant the highest level on strategic issues relating to peace, security and prosperity and important progress in the EAS cooperation over the past five years in the five priority areas, namely education, finance, energy, disaster management and avian flu prevention. As the EAS commemorates its 5th anniversary this year, we stressed the need to further strengthen the EAS process through stock-taking, reaffirming the fundamental principles of the EAS, and charting out the future direction of the EAS.
54. We looked forward to the third ASEAN-UN Summit to further strengthen our cooperation on issues of common concern, including in particular implementing the Millennium Development Goals, responding to global challenges, promoting regional and international peace and security, and building the ASEAN Community.
55. We welcomed the enhanced multi-faceted cooperation between ASEAN and EU as was demonstrated during the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Madrid, Spain, on 26th May 2010. We encouraged the implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement the Nuremberg Declaration on an EU-ASEAN Enhanced Partnership to support the ASEAN integration.
International and Regional Issues
56. We had fruitful, in-depth exchange of view on some important global issues which had direct impacts on our region. As the world's recovery from the financial crisis is still fragile, we were of the view that the upcoming G-20 Summit in Seoul should take up, among other, the issues of financial safety net, the reform of international financial institutions, the commitment to free and fair trade and resisting protectionism. We welcomed the ROK's efforts to make development agenda one of the key issues of the Seoul Summit. We highly appreciated the ROK's invitation to current Chair of ASEAN, Viet Nam, to attend the upcoming G-20 Summit in Seoul and to share ASEAN's insight and perspective on global economic and financial issues. In this regard, we reiterated our firm conviction that ASEAN Chairs would continue to be invited to the G-20 Summits in future on a regular basis.
57. We reaffirmed our resolve to bringing the Doha round to an early conclusion with a comprehensive and balanced outcome consistent with its mandate, building on the progress achieved. While taking into account the provisions of Special and Differential Treatment for developing countries, we agreed that all forms of trade protectionism should be rejected so that our markets will be opened and trade distorting measures introduced during the recent global financial and economic crisis are rolled back. We also reiterated our support to the accession of Lao PDR to the WTO at the earliest possible time
58. We reaffirmed our support for the Outcome Document adopted at the High-Level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from 20-22 September 2010 in New York. In order to achieve the MDGs by 2015, we resolved to collectively advance and strengthen the global partnership for development, including through implementing the committed actions, policies and strategies in support of developing countries.
59. We reaffirmed our commitments in previous ASEAN documents, including the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on Joint Response to Climate Change adopted at the 16th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi in April 2010, to actively contribute towards a successful outcome of COP16/CMP6 to be held at Cancun, Mexico, in December 2010, and to work constructively together to ensure that its outcome will incorporate long-term cooperative actions to address climate change in accordance with principles and provisions of the UN Convention Framework on Climate change and Bali Action Plan and Bali Road Map in particular on mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building and taking into account the specific national circumstances of Parties and a future agreement of the Second Commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.
60. We welcomed all efforts at regional and international levels to promote nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We welcomed the outcomes of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapon (NPT), the 2nd Conference of States Parties and Signatories to Treaties that establish NWFZ and Mongolia in New York this year and the adoption of the 64th UNGA Resolution on SEANWFZ. In this connection, we commended the excellent work done by the Philippines as President of the Review Conference and Viet Nam, as the Chair of ASEAN, in raising ASEAN profile at multilateral fora.
61. ASEAN welcomed the decision by the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to hold the general elections in Myanmar on 7th November 2010. In this regard, ASEAN encouraged Myanmar to further accelerate progress in the implementation of the Roadmap for national reconciliation and democracy including the preparation for the upcoming general elections leading to a constitutional government in Myanmar. We underscored the importance of national reconciliation in Myanmar and the holding of the general election in a free, fair, and inclusive manner, thus contributing to Myanmar's long lasting stability and development. We also stressed the need for Myanmar to continue to work with ASEAN and the United Nations in this process. ASEAN expressed its readiness to render assistance as deemed appropriate by Myanmar and in accordance with the ASEAN Charter.
62. Recognising that peace and security on the Korean Peninsula would greatly benefit the region, we reaffirmed our support for a nuclear weapons-free Korean Peninsula. We encouraged the parties to resume the Six-Party Talks in due course and settlle all disputes by peaceful means.
63. We reaffirmed our support for the resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine to find final solutions, advocating peace and stability in the Middle East.
Other Issues
64. We congratulated Vietnam for the success of the 31st ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Meeting held in Hanoi on 21-23 September 2010 which, among others, emphasised the need to strengthen coordination between the Legislative and Executive branches in the ASEAN Member Countries for the attainment of the ASEAN Community by 2015.
65. We expressed our appreciations to the ASEAN Business Advisory Council for successfully organising the ASEAN Business Summit in Hanoi on 27 October 2010 and pleased with the very useful meeting between ASEAN Leaders and representatives of the ASEAN business community on 28 October 2010.
66. We also expressed our appreciations to Vietnam for holding the 6th ASEAN People's Forum (APF6) and took note of valuable inputs and suggestions from different sectors of society in ASEAN in the process of building an ASEAN Community.
67. We welcomed Indonesia as the next ASEAN Chair in 2011, and looked forward to continuing our efforts in attaining the ASEAN Community by 2015.