[Title] Chairman's Statement of 9th East Asia Summit (9th EAS) 13 November 2014
1. The 9th East Asia Summit(EAS) was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on 13 November 2014. The Summit was chaired by His Excellency U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and attended by the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States, Australia, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Russian Federation and the United States of America.
2. We reaffirmed the importance of the EAS as a Leader-led Forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security, economic and social issues of common regional concern and a range of complex challenges facing the region. We reiterated our commitment to the mandate of the EAS and to enhance cooperation in its priority area, namely, finance, environment and energy, education, global health issues and pandemic diseases, disaster management, and ASEAN connectivity. Furthermore, we highly valued the role that the EAS has continued to play in addressing issues of common concern and maintain peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia.
3. We further reaffirmed our support for the ASEAN Community building process and looked forward to the establishment of the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015. We reiterated our support for ASEAN’s central role oin the EAS and its commitment to working closely with regional partners. Nothing that the EAS had grown its stature since its genesis in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the establishment of the East Asia Summit, we agreed that is continues to play a key role in building an open, transparent, inclusive and participatory regional architecture.
4. In line with the objectives set out in the 2010 Hanoi Declaration on the Commemoration of the 5th Anniversary of the East Asia Summit, we looked forward to further strengthening and consolidating the EAS process. With the EAS approaching its 10th anniversary, we agreed on the need to take stock of past achievements and chart the future direction of the EAS. We further emphasized the need for the ASEAN Secretariat to be strengthened in order to ensure the follow-up and implementation of decisions and recommendations of the EAS. In this regard, we welcomed the Declaration on Strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat and Reviewing the ASEAN Organs and commended the High Level Task Force (HLTF) for its efforts in developing its recommendations.
5. We welcomed the adoption of the Plan of Action(PoA) to implement the Phnom Penh Declaration on the East Asia Summit Development Initiative at the 4th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. We shared the view that the PoA would promote mutual support and cooperation among EAS participating countries and achieve concrete and sustainable results, which would benefit our local economies and peoples.
6. We reaffirmed our commitment to enhance regional security cooperation in East Asia. To this end, we noted the convening of three Workshops on Regional Security Architecture held in Brunei, Russian Federation and Indonesia. We looked forward to continued discussion on elaboration of a common vision for security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region.
Finance
7. Acknowledging the rapid growth of Asia’s inter-regional trade and financial integration, we underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in finance. In particular, we expressed an interest in exploring modalities to attract private sector financing to support infrastructure connectivity across the region. We were pleased with the outcomes from previous EAS Finance Minister’s Meetings and looked forward to considering the outcomes of 2015 EAS Finance Ministers’ Meeting at the next Summit.
Environment and Energy
8. We emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation to address the issue of climate change. In this regard, we expressed our commitment to work closely together towards securing a protocol, another legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force at the 21st Conference of Parties(COP21)to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change(UNFCCC)in Paris in 2015.
9.We noted the outcomes of the 12th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity（COP12）, the 7th Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP7), and the 1st Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (COP-MOP1)held in October 2014 in Republic of Korea. We highlighted the importance of the comprehensive integration of biodiversity into the negotiations on the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda, taking into account the sprit of Pyeongchang Roadmap, adopted at COP12 and the Gangwon Declaration, produced at the High-Level Segment, which was held in parallel with COP12.
10. We noted the outcomes of the 3rd East Asia Low Carbon Growth Partnership Dialogue held in October 2014 in Japan. We were pleased with the increased participation from the private sector at this event. We appreciated Japan’s update on the progress of the Joint Crediting Mechanism(JCM), which would promote the distribution of leading carbon technologies.
11. We noted the outcomes of the 5th High-level Seminar on Environmentally Sustainable Cities(HLS-ESC)held in Indonesia from 28 February to 1 March 2014, co-organised by Republic of Indonesia, Japan, Cambodia and the United States of America. We also commended the progress made by China in establishing the East Asia Centre for Climate Change Research and International Cooperation.
12. We welcomed the outcomes of the 8th EAS Energy Minsters’ Meeting (EAS ECTF) Work Plan 2013-2014 for the work streams of Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Biofuels for Transport and Other Purposes, and Renewable and Alternative Power Generation. We welcomed the commencement of Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia’s (ERIA) new study for Promoting oil stockpiling and reinforcement of emergency response measures in EAS participating countries.
13. We welcomed the special report, ‘World Energy Investment Outlook’ published in conjunction with IAEA’s 2014 edition of the World Energy Outlook, and ERIA’s studies on East Asia Energy Outlook and Energy Market Integration in the East Asia Region. We also welcomed the establishment of the Energy Research Institute Network (ERIN) and acknowledged the collaboration between ERIN and ERIA which was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 6 September 2014 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
Education
14. We welcomed the outcomes of the 2nd EAS Education Ministers’ Meeting held in September 2014 in Laos PDR, particularly on the progress made on the EAS Education Plan of Action 2011-2015. We appreciated the programmes aimed at increasing people-to-people linkages in the East Asia region, especially in the area of education.
15. We welcomed the Australia Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP) and its expansion to all ASEAN Member States from 2015. The NCP will support increasing two-way student mobility between Australia and the region and contribute to strengthening education collaboration. We also welcomed the Japanese Government’s Scholarship for Study Abroad and the ‘TOBITATE! Young Ambassador Program’, which will promote student mobility. We were pleased to note the Republic of Korea’s plans to expand the Global Korean Scholarship (GKS) from 2015, which will increase study opportunities in Korea for ASEAN students. In this regard, we welcomed the launch of training courses for ASEAN engineering students, which will help talented ASEAN students gain first-hand experience in local Korean universities, businesses and research institutes.
16. We were pleased with Japan’s continued commitment to its Japan East Asia Network of Exchange Students and Youths 2.0 (JENESYS 2.0) which promotes mutual understanding and friendly relations among EAS participating countries.
17. We welcomed the inauguration of Nalanda University on 19 September 2014 at Rajgir, India. We appreciated India’s commitment to this project and noted India’s proposal to set up the University as a non-state, non-profit and self-governing international institute of excellence.
Global Health Issues and Pandemic Disease
18. We expressed deep concern about the unprecedented outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in parts of West Africa. We underscored the importance of providing financial and practical assistance to support those countries most affected by the virus to control and contain the spread of the disease. We emphasized our understanding that, in addition to the significant impact on human life and local economies, the spread of EVD also poses a potential threat to international peace and security. We express our firm determination to support all necessary effort to stem the crisis and stop EVD from spreading further. In this regard, we adopted the Joint Statement on the Regional Response to Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease.
19. We reiterated our commitment to the Declaration of the 7th East Asia Summit on Regional Responses to Malaria Control and Addressing Resistance to Anti-malaria Medicines. We welcomed the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance(APLMA)Task Force Progress Report2014 and agreed to the goal of an Asia Pacific free of Malaysia a plan for achieving this goal and to implement the recommendations of the APLMA Task Forces.
Disaster Management
20. Recalling our commitment to disaster response in the Cha-Am Hua Hin Statement on EAS Disaster Management 2009, and reminded of the risks our region faces from natural disasters following Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, we reaffirmed our pledge to further enhance disaster management cooperation through regional mechanisms, including the EAS, ADMM-Plus and ARF. Underscoring the need to increase practical cooperation in this area, we adopting the EAS Statement on Rapid Disaster Response.
21. We welcomed the enhanced cooperation between the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and disaster management authorities in non-ASEAN countries, through the implementation of the 2011 Disaster Management Initiative. We acknowledged that this Initiative in making a valued and practical contribution to strengthen disaster management capabilities in our region. We welcomed progress on the EAS Rapid Disaster Response Toolkit and the ongoing implementation of the World Health Organisation registration and classification system for foreign medical teams in the region.
22. Underscoring the importance of further strengthening international cooperation in disaster risk reduction, we called for active participation and close cooperation for the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in Sendai, Japan, from 14 to 18 March 2015. We noted India’s hosting of the first meeting of 24x7 POCs and launch of Virtual Knowledge Portal for EAS countries to be held on December 4-5,2014 in New Delhi.
Connectivity
23. We agreed that connectivity is essential to the continued development and prosperity of the region. Acknowledging the abjectives of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), which include improving physical, institutional and people-to –people connectivity, we welcomed the support for the continued implementation of the MPAC. We recognized the necessity of improving physical and institutional infrastructure towards the formation and success of business connectivity. We also recognized the need to promote quality growth through “people-centred investment” with an emphasis on inclusiveness, resilience and capacity-building in a sustainable manner for infrastructure development in the region. In this regard, we stressed the need to work closely together to realize the objectives of the Declaration of the 6th EAS on ASEAN Connectivity, adopted in Bali in 2011.
24. We welcomed the success of the 5th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium entitled ‘Catalysing Public-Private Partnerships to Finance ASEAN Connectivity’ co-organised by ERIA and held in Myanmarin September 2014. We commended EAIA for its continued contribution towards the implementation of the MPAC and enhancing connectivity in the region.
25. We noted the singing of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) by founding members in Beijing on 24 October 2014. The founding members looked forward to the early operation of the AIIB and its cooperation with existing multilateral development banks.
OTHER AREAS OF COOPERATION
Regional Economic Integration
26. We encouraged efforts to further enhance regional economic integration in the East Asia Region. Noting that EAS participating countries accounted for more than half of the world’s population and more than 50 per cent of global GDP, we underscored the importance of ensuring the economic well-being of our peoples in the region. We noted that regional economic integration would contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.
27. We welcomed the outcomes of the EAS Economic Ministers’ Meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 27 August 2014. We reaffirmed the importance of trade liberalization in East Asia. We were please with the progress of RCEP negotiations and urged all participating countries to continue to work hard to ensure an comprehensive and commercially meaningful agreement that would support the achievement of the ASEAN Community and deepen regional economic integration. We reiterated the aim to complete the RCEP negotiations by the end of 2015. We also welcomed continued negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
28. We were pleased the recent developments regarding ASEAN’s existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with EAS participating countries. These developments would contribute to further increasing regional economic integration.
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia(ERIA)
29. We welcomed the ERIA’s 7th Governing Boarding Meeting Statement issued on 30 May 2014, which puts emphasis on achieving unity. Peace and prosperity in the East Asia region through connectivity, inclusiveness and cooperation. We commended ERIA’s resolve to continue to work for the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). In particular, we noted ERIA’s support for RCEP negotiations, institutional and physical connectivity, including the establishment of PPP Guidelines, energy and food security, SME empowerment, disaster management, revision of the “Comprehensive Asia Development Plan”, and strengthening regulatory systems and business environments in the region. We encouraged ERIA to continue to provide support to the Chair of the ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit. We also commended ERIA’s support for the Myanmar-ERIA-Havard Symposium “Maximising AEC Benefits towards a Peaceful and Prosperous Community: Achievements and Prospects” held in Myanmar on 29 October 2014.
Non-traditional Security
30. Recalling EAS participating countries’ commitments under CITES, and our pledge at the 8the East Asia Summit to further enhance cooperation in non-traditional security issues including illicit trafficking and illegal trade of wildlife, we adopted the Declaration on Combating Wildlife Trafficking.
Disarmament and Non-proliferation
31. We reaffirmed our commitment for achieving peace and security and a world free of nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction and welcomed the inclusion of disarmament and non-proliferation as part of the EAS agenda.
32. We welcomed ASEAN’s commitment to preserve Southeast Asia as a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (NWFZ) and the contribution of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty to regional security and the global non-proliferation regime. We reiterated our commitment to continue to work with Nuclear Weapons States (NWS) in accordance with the objectives and principles of the Treaty to ensure their early signing and ratification of the Protocol of the SEANWFZ Treaty.
Maritime Security and Cooperation
33. We acknowledged that enhance maritime security is an important element in maintaining peace and stability in the region. We underscored the importance of freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, as well as resolving disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the 1982 United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In this regard, we noted the importance of enhanced maritime cooperation, and were pleased with the outcomes of the 3rd Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum in Danang, Vietnam.
34. We welcomed the progress of full and effected implementation of the declaration on the conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
35. We expressed concern over the ongoing threat posed by piracy and armed robbery at sea in the region and underscored the need to address this issued in a comprehensive and integrated manner through relevant regional cooperation frameworks. We recognized the efforts of EAS Participating Countries to formulate a conducive Regional Security Framework.
Food Security and Food Safety
36. We underscored the importance of ensuring food security and food safety. We recognized the importance of increasing income among those who rely on agriculture for their livelihood, as well as the need to reduce the rate of fod loss and waste through increasing private investment in transportation, storage and processing technologies.
37. We welcomed the progress of work to further increase the level of food security cooperation within the EAS, including the work to expand regional fisheries management cooperation. We noted the report of EAS Track ⅡStudy Group on Enhancing Food Security and Fisheries Management including the five principal recommendations.
Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime
38. We shared the view on the need to further enhance cooperation to counter terrorism and its financing, illicit drug trafficking, the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes, corruption and illicit trade, including wildlife trafficking and trafficking in persons.
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
Korean Peninsula
39. We welcomed the recent meeting between North and South Korean officials on 4 October. We stressed the need to maintain peace, security and stability in the Korean Peninsula and called for continued inter-Korean dialogue. We reiterated the importance of fully implementing and complying with obliteration under the relevant UNSC resolution and commitments under the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. Recognising the importance of dialogue, we called for the creation of necessary conditions for these Talks, which would pave the way for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner. In this light, we welcomed the initiative for Peace and Cooperation in Northeast Asia as well as the Trust-bulding Process on the Korean Penisula by the President of Republic of Korea to contribute significantly to the sustainable peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and beyond. We took note of the recent initiative for peaceful unification. We noted the recent talks between Japan and DPRK of addressing human rights and humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the abduction issues.
ISIL
40. We condemned the brutal violence, hatred and intolerance of the terrorist organization operating under the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria and denounced all acts of terrorism. ISIL negates basic Islamic and human values and poses a deadly threat to the people of Iraq and Syria, the broader Middle East and beyond, including our own societies.
41. We welcomed the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2170 (2014), and 2178 (2014), and affirmed our commitment to the full implementation of these resolutions and committed to undertaking all necessary measures to preventing and suppressing the financing and facilitation of foreign terrorist fighters, consistent with international human right law, international refugee law, and international humanitarian law.
42. We welcomed the new government in Iraq and supported all effort for national unity and an inclusive political process. We supported the Iraq Government, together with international partners to restore law and order and security inside Iraq.
43. We demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL or associated individuals and entities. We expressed our commitment to providing assistance to the victims of ISIL terror and to continue our humanitarian aid in close coordination with the United Nations and other International Organizations. To enhance these efforts, we are seeking to establish platforms to enable a more structured exchange with countries willing to make constructive contributions against terrorism.
44. We underlined the need to address the threat of terrorism in a comprehensive manner by identifying the dunerlying factors that support terrorism and lead to radicalisation. We reaffirmed our support for the Global Movement of Moderates and agreed on the importance of inter-faith dialogues to promote greater trust and understanding among cultures, religions and civilizations. In this regard, we adopted the EAS Statement on the Rise of Violence and Brutality committed by Terrorist/Extremist Organizations in Iraq and Syria.
45. We noted with appreciation Singapore’s offer to host an EAS Symposium on De-radicalisation to share best practices among experts in early 2015.
APEC
46. We welcomed the outcomes of the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and noted APEC’s on-going contribution to advancing regional economic integration, promoting innovative development, economic refom and growth, and strengthening comprehensive monnectivity and infrastructure development. We welcomed the agreement to launch a collective strategic study on issues related to the realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) and were pleased with the progress made towards achieving the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by 2020.
ASEM
47. We welcomed the outcomes of the 10th Asia-Europe Summit, where ASEM Leaders exchanged views on strengthening cooperation on economic, financial, regional and global issues as well as traditional and non-traditional security challenges.
WTO
48. We reaffirmed out support for the multilateral trading system. We underscored the importance of the Bali Package agreed to at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali, Republic of Indonesia in 2013 and expressed concern over the inability of WTO Members to implement decisions in accordance with previously made commitments. In this regard, we tasked our Economic Ministers to work closely with WTO Members to expedite the resolution of the current impasse. We also urged meaningful outcomes on the negotiations of the Environmental Goods Agreement in Geneva.
G20
49. We appreciated the G20’s commitment to developing new measures with the aim of raising the level of G20 output by more than two per cent over the next five years. In the context of maintain fiscal sustainability and financial sector stability, we supported the G20 to develop new measures to significantly raise global economic growth. We were pleased with ASEAN’s continued engagement with the G20, through the regular participation of the ASEAN Chair ant G20 meetings. Recognising that the region comprises some of the best performing economies, and that ASEAN Member States contributed more than USD2trillion to global GDP in 2013, we believed ASEAN’s input into the G20 agenda was integral to ensuring the development of effective global cooperation strategies.
50. We looked forward to the convening of the 10th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2015.