[Title] CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT OF THE 24th ASEAN-JAPAN SUMMIT
1. The 24th ASEAN-Japan Summit was held via videoconference on 27 October 2021. The Summit was chaired by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
2. We noted with satisfaction the progress of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation over the last year and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen the ASEAN- Japan Strategic Partnership, including through continued effective implementation of the Revised Implementation Plan of the Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation: Shared Vision, Shared Identity, Shared Future. We looked forward to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation in 2023 and welcomed Japan's intention to hold an ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Japan in 2023.
3. We reaffirmed our support for Brunei Darussalam's ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme "We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper", which focuses on harnessing the caring nature of ASEAN to build a harmonious and resilient Community with the people at its centre; preparing and adapting for the future to ensure ASEAN remains relevant and its people can take advantage of the new opportunities, as well as overcome existing and future challenges; and creating opportunities for people to benefit through initiatives that enhance the sustainable prosperity of the region. We highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum in cooperating within and beyond ASEAN for the pursuit of these long-term goals.
4. We recognised the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and the world and underscored the importance of enhancing international cooperation in addressing the challenges of COVID-19 and other public health emergencies. We stressed the importance of ASEAN-Japan cooperation in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in strengthening our joint efforts for robust recovery and building back better. In this regard, we welcomed Japan's donation of over 16 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to ASEAN countries so far, as well as more than USD 320 million worth of grant assistance by Japan in providing medical supplies and equipment, and extending technical cooperation catering to the needs of ASEAN countries. We welcomed Japan's initiative to maintain and revitalise the economy of ASEAN countries by extending a total of USD 1.8 billion worth of financial emergency support loans. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation through ASEAN-led platforms and mechanisms, including the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) framework. ASEAN also appreciated Japan's contribution of USD 1 million to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and looked forward to Japan's continued support for ASEAN's efforts and initiatives in mitigating COVID-19, including the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies (RRMS), the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan, the ASEAN Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies, and the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework (ATCAF).
5. We looked forward to the timely establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) and appreciated Japan's commitment of USD 50 million, through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), and Japan's support to the operationalisation of the Centre including the capacity building of health human resources and the mobilisation of technical experts through JICA aligned with the scope of work of the Centre as well as the detailed design and preparation support for the Centre. We urged the countries concerned to exercise utmost flexibility in the spirit of compromise to reach a decision on the selection of the host country for the ACPHEED to ensure the expeditious operationalisation of the Centre. We also looked forward to the full operationalisation of the Centre, and encouraged ASEAN- Japan cooperation to maintain the sustainability of the Centre, which will further support ASEAN's capabilities and efforts in addressing public health emergencies in the region. We looked forward to further strengthening ASEAN regional capacity on disaster health management (ARCH Project), which will endeavour to implement the standard operating procedure for coordination of emergency medical teams in the region with the support of JICA.
6. We underscored the importance of multilateralism, regionalism and upholding international law in contributing to global and regional peace, stability and prosperity. ASEAN expressed appreciation to Japan for its continued support for ASEAN Centrality in the evolving regional architecture that is open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based and Japan's active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), APT, East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), and Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).
7. ASEAN welcomed Japan's unwavering support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). We noted that both the AOIP and Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) concept share relevant fundamental principles in promoting peace and cooperation. We reaffirmed our commitment to reinforce ASEAN-Japan Strategic Partnership through enhanced practical cooperation and synergy in the four areas as outlined in the AOIP and the Joint Statement of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Cooperation on the AOIP. We noted the Progress Report on the steady progress of concrete cooperation projects between ASEAN and Japan.
8. We resolved to continue enhancing cooperation in addressing security issues of common interest and concern, including terrorism, maritime security, illicit drug trafficking, and cybersecurity. We underlined the need to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the 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 (AJCT) Dialogue and the 4th ASEAN-Japan Cybercrime (AJCC) Dialogue. We welcomed the efforts to enhance cooperation on cybersecurity, including through the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Policy Meeting and ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre and industrial control systems cybersecurity training program for ASEAN Member States and other partners.
9. ASEAN commended Japan for its significant contributions as co-chairs of both the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ISM on ICTs Security), alongside Malaysia and Singapore, and the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (ISM on NPD), alongside Indonesia and the Republic of Korea (ROK). We looked forward to a successful ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations, under the co-chairmanship of Viet Nam and Japan in the 2021-2024 cycle. We noted Japan's stronger commitment to promote defence cooperation and engagement with ASEAN Member States under the "Vientiane Vision: Japan's Defense Cooperation Initiative with ASEAN" and looked forward to further enhancing the engagement through the Vientiane Vision 2.0.
10. We reaffirmed our commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability through, among others, cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including continued support to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission of Human Rights (AICHR) and, where appropriate, relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies in mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities across all three pillars of the ASEAN Community.
11. We commended Japan's support to the work of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) in building capacity on conflict management, resolution and reconciliation and further strengthening peace-oriented values towards harmony, peace, security and stability in the region and beyond. Japan's support to the research project titled "Lessons Learned from a Process of Conflict Resolution between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front as Mediated by Indonesia 1993-1996" set a key milestone that we aim to further strengthen in our cooperation.
12. We continued to attach great importance to the economic relations between ASEAN and Japan. We shared the view on the need to strengthen cooperation in areas such as digital economy, innovation, capacity building, and human resource development in the digital age. We also acknowledged the importance of promoting cross-border transfer of information and data by electronic means to harness the opportunities in the digital economy, as well as to strengthen consumer and business trust while respecting both domestic and international legal frameworks. While Japan remained ASEAN's fourth- largest trading partner and third-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2020 based on statistics from the ASEAN Secretariat, we still recognised the need to further deepen and expand trade and investment relations, including through the implementation of the renewed ASEAN-Japan 10-Year Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap 2016-2025 and the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement. We looked forward to the full ratification of the First Protocol to Amend the AJCEP Agreement, which incorporates the Chapters on Trade in Services, Movement of Natural Persons (MNP) and Investment into the AJCEP Agreement, by all signatories as soon as possible.
13. We reaffirmed the need for ASEAN and Japan to further enhance cooperation towards comprehensive recovery. In this regard, we welcomed the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan ("Action Plan") in promoting cooperation towards comprehensive recovery in areas such as supply chain resilience, digital solution, and trade facilitation, including the discussion towards introducing the electronic certificate of origin (CO) data exchange scheme for the AJCEP. We expressed appreciation for the successful progress and fruitful outcome of "the Dialogue for Innovative and Sustainable Growth (DISG)", launched at the 26th AEM- METI Consultation last year, and the "ASEAN-Japan Business Week". We also reaffirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation with regional partners in building resilient supply chains. We also welcomed the "ASEAN-Japan Priority for Innovative and Sustainable Growth" as a next course of focused action to enhance the steady implementation of the Action Plan and to upgrade the Action Plan in line with this Priority in 2022. We welcomed the progress in regional financial cooperation under the ASEAN+3 Finance process, including the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM), ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), and Asian Bond Markets Initiative (ABMI). We acknowledged the on-going discussions between ASEAN and Japan on the future of tourism cooperation as part of the development of the APT Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2021-2025, and encouraged our tourism senior officials to develop strategic cooperation programmes, including innovative ways to revitalise the tourism sector in collaboration with all stakeholders including the private sector. We encouraged Japan to enhance its production capacity and industrial connectivity in the region as part of Japan's efforts to diversify overseas supply chains in ASEAN Member States.
14. We reaffirmed our commitment to an open, free, fair, inclusive, transparent, rules-based, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade Organization (WTO). We underscored our commitment to keeping markets open for trade and investment. We welcomed the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement in November 2020, and reaffirmed our commitment to expedite respective domestic procedures to have the RCEP Agreement enter into force in early January 2022, as targeted, in order to enhance market and employment opportunities for businesses and people in the region.
15. We commended the activities carried out by the AEM-METI Economic and Industrial Cooperation Committee (AMEICC), the Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the ASEAN-Japan Business Council (AJBC). We acknowledged the need to respect intellectual property in the promotion of innovation that can be used to tackle COVID-19 and likewise encouraged further cooperation through the Japan-ASEAN Heads of IP Offices Meeting. We commended the ASEAN-Japan Centre, which celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year since its establishment, for its significant role in promoting trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between both sides and welcomed the progress made to date on its reform. We welcomed the support of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in promoting our close economic partnership and Japan's contribution to the Institute.
16. ASEAN appreciated Japan's continued support and looked forward to concrete cooperation in advancing the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Joint Statement of the 22nd ASEAN-Japan Summit on Connectivity, which recognised the importance of enhancing connectivity in the region and developing quality infrastructure in line with international standards, including openness, transparency, economic efficiency in view of lifecycle cost and debt sustainability. We further encouraged Japan to explore synergies between the MPAC 2025 and Japan's Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure in line with the "Connecting the Connectivities" initiative. We reaffirmed the importance of the Japan- ASEAN Connectivity Initiative, which was launched at the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit on 12 November 2020, aiming to strengthen ASEAN connectivity in hard and soft infrastructure through the ongoing 2 trillion-yen worth of land, sea, and air corridor connectivity projects. We looked forward to the conclusion of a more liberal and mutually beneficial ASEAN-Japan Air Services Agreement with a view to enhancing air connectivity between Japan and ASEAN Member States. We welcomed the sound progress of various cooperation projects and activities under the ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership (AJTP) towards improved regional connectivity.
17. We welcomed the successful convening of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) Consultations with Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners on Connectivity and the 12th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium, with support from the ERIA, on 25 and 26 August 2021, respectively.
18. ASEAN valued Japan's support for the implementation of the IAI Work Plan III (2016- 2020) and appreciated Japan's continued commitment to the implementation of the IAI Work Plan IV (2021-2025), as well as programmes to foster human resource development, narrow the development gap and promote sub-regional development within ASEAN. We also welcomed Japan's continued support for the Attachment Programme for Junior Diplomats of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV) and Attachment of Officers from CLMV for AEC and ASCC Involvement, both at the ASEAN Secretariat.
19. We reiterated the importance of supporting ASEAN's efforts in narrowing the development gap and promoting sustainable and equitable development across the ASEAN Community, including through aligning sub-regional growth with the comprehensive development of ASEAN through promoting sub-regional cooperation such as the Mekong-Japan and the BIMP-EAGA-Japan cooperation frameworks and welcomed the outcomes of the 14th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on 6 August 2021, the 13th Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting held on 13 September 2021, and continuing discussions among the BIMP-EAGA national secretariats and Japan.
20. We welcomed Japan's active and continued support for the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), through facilitating partnerships between Japan and ASCN Cities by establishing the Japan Association for Smart Cities in ASEAN (JASCA). We welcomed the convening of the 3rd ASEAN-Japan Smart Cities Network High-Level Meeting (HLM) held in October 2021, which aimed to support ASCN in promoting economic prosperity through sustainable urban development. We appreciated the technical assistance on the "Development of ASEAN Common Qualification Scheme for Quality Control Experts" and the "ASEAN-Japan Partnership Program for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Safety Conformity Assessment of Multimedia Equipment".
21. We recognised the urgency to address sustainable post-pandemic recovery and affirmed the importance of energy transitions towards sustainable development. We further recognised that ASEAN Member States and Japan are at various stages of economic development and differing geographical conditions, and that energy transitions have to take into account different national circumstances. We also acknowledged the need to improve the utilisation of all energy sources, technologies, information, expertise, and related policies to meet the growing energy demand through encouraging research, development and innovation, and technology transfer for new and emerging technologies, such as clean coal technology (CCT), Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), hydrogen, battery and energy storage, civilian nuclear energy, as well as creating enabling environments for green investments towards sustainability in the region. We appreciated the continued contributions of Japan in implementing the energy transition initiatives in ASEAN through the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025. We welcomed the productive outcomes of the Special Meeting of ASEAN Ministers on Energy and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan held on 21 June 2021 via videoconference towards enhancing partnerships in realising energy transitions in ASEAN. In order to ensure economic recovery and sustainable growth, we called for stable international oil market through sufficient supply of crude oil, including increased production.
22. We reaffirmed our commitment to strengthen cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. We welcomed the progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue on Environmental Cooperation (AJDEC) and the ASEAN-Japan Environmental Cooperation Initiative, which aims to promote cooperation in various areas of environmental protection, including environmental education, sustainable cities, water resources management, chemicals and waste management, and biodiversity through the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB). ASEAN expressed appreciation for Japan's continued support to combat marine plastic debris through the ASEAN Plus Three Marine Plastics Debris Cooperative Action Initiative, as well as the efforts of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris at the ERIA. ASEAN appreciated Japan's support through the ASEAN-Japan Energy Efficiency Partnership, and welcomed Japan's support for the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD). We also looked forward to Japan's contribution to the new capacity building project for farmers' organisations to support the development of food value chains in ASEAN Member States. We also looked forward to exploring possible cooperation for the post-pandemic recovery such as the collaboration on green growth and other circular economy approaches such as Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG), which are in line with Japan's green growth strategy.
23. We encouraged Japan to support ASEAN's efforts in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), equipping our people for the future world of work and helping to boost our capacity to overcome disruptions in the future, including those arising from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
24. We welcomed Japan's cooperation in the areas of transparency, mitigation and adaptation of climate change for the decarbonisation transition in ASEAN countries and Japan's support to the efforts of ASEAN countries such as through assistance in the development of roadmaps for energy transition, and other supporting measures in technology cooperation, human resource development, infrastructure, disaster management and sustainable forest management. In this regard, we also welcomed Japan's climate change initiatives in the ASEAN region including (i) ‘the ASEAN-Japan Climate Change Action Agenda 2.0', which aims to strengthen cooperation for the realisation of a decarbonised and resilient society in the ASEAN region; (ii) Japan's ‘Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI)', which includes a wide range of support for energy transitions in Asia; (iii) Japan's continued support on the development of the ASEAN State of Climate Change Report; and (iv) Japan's contribution to regional energy security challenges and accelerating the transition to a decarbonised society through various initiatives including the Japan-U.S. Clean Energy Partnership (JUCEP) and the Japan-U.S. Mekong Power Partnership (JUMPP).
25. We were encouraged by the progress made in our cooperation on promoting social welfare and development that contributes to the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Ageing: Empowering Older Persons in ASEAN, the Regional Framework and Action Plan on Implementing the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection and the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We appreciated the continuing conduct of the annual ASEAN and Japan High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Society as a regular platform for policy exchanges that promotes the enhancement of human resources development and cooperation in social welfare, labour and health in the ASEAN region with the 18th ASEAN and Japan High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Society held virtually on 30 October 2020. We commended the good progress made in the establishment of the ASEAN-Wide Research Network on Ageing, as well as the completion of the Autism Mapping Project in ASEAN. We looked forward to more robust development cooperation in the broad area of promoting social protection for vulnerable populations in the region.
26. We welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM) Plus Japan and conduct of the inaugural AMMDM Plus Japan on 14 October 2021 to further strengthen cooperation in disaster management and joint emergency response, particularly to support the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme 2021-2025 and the ASEAN Declaration on One ASEAN One Response. ASEAN appreciated Japan's continued support towards the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre), including through the enhancement of capacity building of the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ERAT), the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) Project, AHA Centre ICT Project Phase IV to establish an integrated ICT System and the AHA Centre Executive (ACE) Programme for disaster management officials in ASEAN. ASEAN also appreciated Japan's support through the Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF). We emphasised the importance of enhancing ASEAN's capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from future emergencies and disasters and in this regard, we encouraged for both ASEAN and Japan to share best practices and lessons learned, to improve the coordination of existing ASEAN processes and mechanisms, with a view to facilitate the implementation of the Strategic and Holistic Initiative to Link ASEAN Responses to Emergencies and Disasters (ASEAN SHIELD).
27. We resolved to continue enhancing cooperation in healthcare, including the promotion of Universal Health Coverage. We acknowledged efforts to strengthen the healthcare and welfare system under the Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative (AHWIN). ASEAN looked forward to Japan's support for the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI).
28. ASEAN commended Japan's continued support for people-to-people, sports and cultural exchanges, through various programs including the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS), WA Project, Sakura Science Exchange Program, the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP), the exchanges through the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA), Sport for Tomorrow, ASEAN-Japan Actions on Sports, and Asia Kakehashi Project. We looked forward to further strengthening cooperation on sports through the ASEAN Plus Japan Ministerial Meeting on Sports mechanism as well as on youth development, through the implementation of ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025 and ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025. We noted with appreciation Japan's contribution in advancing Sustainable Development Goals in the region through the regional programmes on Education for Sustainable Development. We decided to further promote cultural cooperation, including through the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Work Plan on Cooperation in Culture and the Arts 2019-2021 and the ASEAN Cultural Heritage Digital Archive project. ASEAN 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 including through the project "Asia in Resonance 2019" and looked forward to the extension of this program in the coming years.
29. ASEAN highly valued Japan's continued support for ASEAN's development, including through its additional financial contribution to the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). We looked forward to the effective implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Agreement on Technical Cooperation to contribute to ASEAN Community building efforts, and welcomed more projects of the same nature to be implemented.
30. We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, prosperity, safety, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, and pursuing peaceful resolution of disputes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 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. We noted the positive progress in the ongoing negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and encouraged further progress towards the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
31. We discussed the situation in the South China Sea, during which concerns were expressed by some countries on the land reclamations, activities, and serious incidents in the area, including damage to the marine environment, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions, and may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region. We reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self- restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation. We further reaffirmed the need to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. We emphasised the importance of non-militarisation and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities by claimants and all other states, including those mentioned in the DOC that could further complicate the situation and escalate tensions in the South China Sea.
32. We reaffirmed our support for diplomacy and dialogue in achieving complete denuclearisation and establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. We recognised the efforts made by all parties concerned to resume dialogue and advance the peace process on the Korean Peninsula over the past four years. We also welcomed the restoration of inter-Korean communication lines and acknowledged that it will contribute to further improving and developing inter-Korean relations. We urged all parties concerned to continue working together constructively towards the complete denuclearisation and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, including through the full and expeditious implementation of the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, the Pyongyang Joint Declaration between the ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the Singapore Joint Statement by the Leaders of the United States and the DPRK. We reiterated the importance of international efforts to achieve the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and our commitment to the full implementation of all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions. We reiterated the importance of creating a conducive atmosphere for peaceful dialogue among concerned parties, including through utilising ASEAN-led platforms such as the ARF. We reiterated the importance of addressing the humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
33. We discussed the recent developments in Myanmar and expressed concern over the situation in the country, including reports of fatalities and violence. We also heard calls for the release of political detainees including foreigners. We called on Myanmar to fulfil its commitment to the Five-Point Consensus of the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on 24 April 2021 and acceptance for the timely and complete implementation of the Five-Point Consensus namely, the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties to exercise utmost restraint; constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people; the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN; ASEAN to provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre; and the Special Envoy and delegation to visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned. We welcomed the efforts by the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar and called on all parties concerned in Myanmar to swiftly and fully implement their commitment to the Five-Point Consensus, including by facilitating the visit of the Special Envoy to Myanmar to build trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned. We welcomed the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar, through the AHA Centre. We welcomed the continued support from our external partners, including Japan, for ASEAN's efforts in the swift and complete implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, particularly on humanitarian assistance.