[Title] CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT OF THE 22ND ASEAN-JAPAN SUMMIT
1. The 22nd ASEAN-Japan Summit was held in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand, on 4th November 2019. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, and attended by and all Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States and H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.
2. We noted with satisfaction the excellent development of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation over the last year based on the "heart-to-heart" relationship of mutual trust and "equal partnership" and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership, including through the effective implementation of the Joint Statement of the 21st ASEAN-Japan Summit to Commemorate the 45th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation adopted in 2018. In this regard, we welcomed the substantive progress achieved in addressing the action lines of the Revised Implementation Plan of the Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Shared Vision, Shared Identity, Shared Future, and looked forward to continuing its effective implementation to enhance cooperation between both sides.
3. We reaffirmed our close collaboration to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, to promote mutual trust and understanding, and to uphold the rule of law. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We reaffirmed our support for multilateralism and regionalism, and for the rules-based international order based on the principles of international law, mutual interest and mutual respect.
4. ASEAN Leaders expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support for ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture that is open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based. We shared the view to promote a rules-based Indo-Pacific region that is free and open, embraces key ASEAN principles such as ASEAN unity and centrality, inclusiveness, transparency, and complements ASEAN community-building process. ASEAN Leaders reiterated the importance of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), welcomed Japan’s explicit support of the AOIP, and encouraged Japan to undertake cooperation with ASEAN in the key areas outlined in the Outlook, covering maritime cooperation, connectivity, sustainable development and economic cooperation, in order to contribute to peace, freedom and prosperity in the region. In this regard, ASEAN Leaders welcomed Japan’s newly launched initiative aimed at mobilizing capital from public and private sectors, including through doubling JICA’s overseas loan and investment for ASEAN, in order to achieve sustainable development through cooperation in the fields of infrastructure development, micro-financing for women and small and medium-size businesses and facilitating green investment. We appreciated Japan’s active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Plus Three (APT), East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and Japan’s constructive contributions to development and regional cooperation.
5. We resolved to continue enhancing cooperation in addressing non-traditional security issues and transnational crime, including terrorism, maritime security, illicit drug trafficking and cybersecurity through dialogue at relevant ASEAN fora such as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) + Japan Consultation and the ASEAN Plus Japan Senior Officials on Drug Matters Consultation. We underlined the need to ensure effective implementation of the new ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC)-Japan Work Plan for Cooperation to Combat Terrorism and Transnational Crime (2018-2022) and looked forward to the convening of the 12th ASEAN-Japan Counter-Terrorism Dialogue and the 4th ASEAN- Japan Cybercrime Dialogue to be held in Myanmar in 2020. ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s initiatives and support in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, and welcomed Japan for hosting the 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Kyoto in 2020. We further noted the importance of enhancing cooperation among maritime law enforcement agencies, including capacity-building, joint exercises and information sharing. We also looked forward to enhancing cooperation on cybersecurity, including through the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Working Group Meeting, ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Policy Meeting, ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) established in 2018 in Thailand and the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE) in Singapore, and welcomed the progress made in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting on Security of and in the Use of Information and in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ARF ISM on ICT Security) held in March 2019. We also commended the Industrial Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (ICSCoE) Japan for conducting Japan-U.S. Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Training for ASEAN Member States and other partners in Tokyo in September 2019.
6. We also welcomed the significant development of practical defense cooperation between ASEAN and Japan under the “Vientiane Vision: Japan’s Defense Cooperation Initiative with ASEAN. We appreciated Japan’s continued support to address humanitarian aspect of landmines and explosive remnants of war in the region, including through support in capacity building and the work of ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) in addressing this issue.
7. We welcomed the significant economic cooperation between ASEAN and Japan, with Japan ranked ASEAN’s fourth largest trading partner and ASEAN’s second largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2018. Total merchandise trade reached USD 229.2 billion, accounting for 8.2 per cent of ASEAN’s total merchandise trade, while FDI inflows from Japan to ASEAN amounted to USD 21.2 billion, accounting for 13.7 per cent of total FDI flows to ASEAN. We have common intention to further deepen and expand trade and investment relations, including through the effective utilisation of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement. We looked forward to the early entry into force of the First Protocol to Amend the AJCEP Agreement to give legal effect to the Chapters on Trade in Services, Movement of Natural Persons and Investment into the AJCEP Agreement.
8. We commended the progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan 10- year Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap in various areas including trade facilitation, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), infrastructure, energy and technology innovation. We welcomed the proposed launch of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Dialogue” on the 25th AEM- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Consultations, which is a two-way dialogue between ASEAN-Japan aimed at discussing policies to create a business- friendly environment for such innovation and business to be widely applied in the society. We also commended the work of the ASEAN-Japan Innovation Network (AJIN), a private sector-led initiative that promotes innovation across sectors and industries, including developing digital business platforms for MSMEs and emerging industries. We acknowledged various activities carried out by the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC).
9. We noted the global outlook in economic and trade performance and the recent moderation of growth. We reaffirmed strong commitment to uphold an open, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied in the World Trade Organization (WTO). We noted the work being undertaken to reform the WTO and reiterated our full support to this endeavor. We welcomed the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations and committed to sign the RCEP Agreement in 2020 to create a modern, comprehensive, high quality and mutually beneficial agreement.
10. ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s continued support and looked forward to more cooperation to advance the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025. ASEAN Leaders welcomed Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure and Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure initiative to promote quality infrastructure in accordance with international standards such as the “G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment” including the elements of openness, transparency, economic efficiency, and debt sustainability, and to enhance connectivity in the region. We looked forward to the successful conclusion of a more liberal and mutually beneficial ASEAN-Japan Air Services Agreement that is over and above what has been exchanged bilaterally between Japan and individual ASEAN Member States to enhance regional connectivity. We welcomed the sound progress of various cooperation projects and activities under the ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership (AJTP) towards improved regional connectivity. We stressed the importance to promote connectivity between ASEAN and Japan by enhancing links and synergies between MPAC 2025 and other relevant connectivity strategies, including the “Connecting the Connectivities” approach, Japan’s Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure, ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership (AJTP), the Tokyo Strategy 2018 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation, Mekong Industry Development Vision 2.0 (MIDV2.0), and Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), and adopted the Joint Statement of the 22nd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Connectivity to further strengthen ASEAN-Japan cooperation in regional connectivity.
11. ASEAN Leaders welcomed Japan’s continued commitment to supporting and assisting ASEAN with and promote sub-regional cooperation the implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III, Mekong-Japan cooperation framework as well as programmes to foster human resources development in order to narrow the development gap among ASEAN Member States, including through strengthening cooperation under relevant frameworks and cooperation mechanisms.
12. We shared the intention to strengthen cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. We welcomed the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Environmental Cooperation Initiative which aims to promote cooperation in environmental protection, as well as in areas such as climate change, including through the new ASEAN-Japan Climate Change Action Agenda, including the new proposal for HFC, waste management, biodiversity conservation, chemical pollution management, wastewater management, and quality environmental infrastructure development for sustainable cities. ASEAN Leaders expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support for an environmentally-sustainable ASEAN through the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue on Environmental Cooperation (AJDEC), and the first ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Dialogue on Environmental Cooperation (AJMDEC), and also for Japan’s commitment to strengthening its cooperation with ASEAN in combating marine plastic debris, including through the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s support through the ASEAN-Japan Energy Efficiency Partnership, and looked forward to Japan’s support for the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD).
13. We reaffirmed our commitment to enhance collaboration in healthcare, including Universal Health Coverage supported by robust financing, disaster heath management, social welfare, and the empowerment of women and older persons. We noted with satisfaction the ongoing work to implement the ASEAN-Japan Health Initiative. ASEAN Leaders welcomed Japan's efforts to expand the target areas under the Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative (AHWIN). ASEAN Leaders looked forward to Japan’s support for the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI).
14. We reaffirmed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in the area of disaster management and joint emergency response. ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s continued support towards the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre), including through the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) Project, an ICT Project which aims to establish an Integrated ICT System and the AHA Centre Executive (ACE) Programme for disaster management officials in ASEAN. ASEAN Leaders also appreciated Japan’s support through the Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF).
15. ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s continued support and initiatives for people-to- people contacts and sports and cultural exchanges, particularly interactions among the youth and academics of ASEAN and East Asia. We noted with satisfaction the progress in various programmes including Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS)”, “ASIA KAKEHASHI Project”, “WA-Project,” “Sport for Tomorrow”, the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP), "Inter-University Exchange Program" “Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Programme in Science (Sakura Science Plan)”, MEXT Scholarship, and the exchanges through ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA). Furthermore, we reaffirmed our commitment to enhance cooperation in the areas, including, but not limited to, higher education, vocational training, sharing of best practices in areas such as teacher training. We noted with satisfaction the progress of the first phase of the ASEAN Cultural Heritage Digital Archive (ACHDA) which served as an important cultural conduit and looked forward to the enhanced implementation of the project’s subsequent phases. We also agreed to further promote cooperative projects and events in sports through the ASEAN-Japan Actions on Sports project and also in cultural activities leading up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 and beyond. We welcomed the successful convening of the two events within the framework of the ASEAN-Japan Day and the ASEAN-Japan Music Festival in June 2019 and in July 2019, respectively, in Hanoi, Viet Nam.
16. We reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening cooperation in the area of science and technology and implementation of collaborative research, and welcomed the Japan- ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals (STI for SDGs) Bridging Initiative. We also welcomed further cooperation through the ASEAN-Japan Heads of Intellectual Property (IP) Offices Meeting.
17. ASEAN Leaders welcomed Japan’s cooperation for the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), including the successful convening of the ASEAN-Japan Smart Cities Network High-Level Meeting in Yokohama in October 2019 in collaboration with ASEAN Member States, and continuous cooperation through the Japan Association for Smart Cities in ASEAN (JASCA) which consists of over 200 Japanese public and private entities.
18. ASEAN Leaders expressed appreciation for Japan’s generous contributions over the years towards ASEAN’s development, such as technical assistance on human resource development, including through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). We welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Technical Cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in Tokyo on 13 May 2019 and looked forward to the project under the Agreement on technical training on cybersecurity to be held in Tokyo in January 2020.
19. We expressed support for and welcomed the contributions of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, the Japan Foundation Asia Center and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in supporting ASEAN community-building in reinforcing the ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership, and in enhancing the ties between the peoples of ASEAN and Japan, and ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s contribution to these institutions. We appreciated the active efforts of the Japan Foundation Asia Center since 2014 to promote cultural sports and people-to-people exchanges between Japan and ASEAN Member States and looked forward to the extension of this program in the coming years.
20. We reiterated our commitment to the full implementation of all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions by all UN member states. In this context, we are committed to the international efforts to bring about complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. We continued to call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to fulfil its stated commitment to complete denuclearisation and its pledge to refrain from further nuclear and missile tests, including recent missile tests for which there are some concerns. Some Leaders emphasised the importance of addressing issues of humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the resolution of the abductions issue.
21. We stressed the importance of continued peaceful dialogue amongst all concerned parties in order to realise lasting peace and stability in a denuclearised Korean Peninsula. We urged all concerned parties to resume peaceful dialogue and continue working towards the realisation of lasting peace and stability in a denuclearised Korean Peninsula, including through the full and expeditious implementation of the Joint Statement by the U.S. and DPRK leaders, the Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration. We also underscored the importance of ASEAN-led platforms such as the ARF in promoting a conducive atmosphere to peaceful dialogue amongst the concerned parties. We welcomed the recent meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and the DPRK at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), as well as the resumption of the working level negotiation between both sides in Stockholm.
22. We discussed the importance of promoting a rules-based order in the region, including through upholding international law such as the 1982 United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea and recognised the benefits of having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and prosperity. We discussed the matters relating to the South China Sea and took note of some concerns on the land reclamations and activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region. We underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety and noted negotiations towards the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. We reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. We also emphasised the importance of non-militarisation and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities by claimants and all other states.