[Title] CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT OF THE 7TH EAST ASIA SUMMIT FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING, "PARTNERING FOR CHANGE, ENGAGING THE WORLD"
1. The 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting was convened in Manila, Philippines on 7 August 2017. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.
Review and Future Direction of the East Asia Summit
2. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as a Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, security, and economic issues of common concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia in line with the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the East Asia Summit and based on the established principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS.
3. The Ministers reiterated the importance of maintaining ASEAN Centrality in shaping a rules-based regional architecture in which they reaffirmed continued commitment to promoting the EAS as an open, inclusive, transparent and outward- looking forum that will strengthen global norms and uphold universally recognized principles of international law with ASEAN as the driving force, and working in close partnership with other participating countries of the EAS to attain that goal.
4. The Ministers noted the progress in the implementation of the decisions and proposals made at the 11th East Asia Summit held in Vientiane, Lao PDR in September 2016, especially efforts to strengthen the EAS and its work processes. They cited the importance of regular engagement of the EAS Ambassadors in Jakarta in discussing the implementation of Leaders' decisions and undertaking other activities as provided in the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the EAS, the Chairman's Statement of the 11th East Asia Summit, instructions from the EAS SOM, as well as precedent established over the years.
5. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the 6th EAS Workshop on Regional Security Architecture in Bangkok, Thailand on 15-16 May 2017, which reaffirmed ASEAN centrality in the regional security architecture and agreed to further strengthen the current ASEAN-centered regional security architecture, comprising existing ASEAN-led platforms, in particular the EAS. They noted the convening of the EAS Track-Two Seminar on Regional Security Architecture in Shanghai, China on 17-18 July 2017.
6. The Ministers noted that, in accordance with the tasks given to the EAS Ambassadors in Jakarta to exchange information on regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives, the EAS Ambassadors will include discussion on regional security architecture in their agenda in the future, the set-up of which could be a hybrid format that will involve not just the EAS Ambassadors in Jakarta, but will have the participation of similarly-ranked officials or experts from capital to help bolster discussions.
7. The Ministers welcomed the initiative to develop the Manila Action Plan for EAS Areas of Cooperation to follow on from the Plan of Action (POA) to implement the Phnom Penh Declaration on the East Asia Summit Development Initiative (2015- 2017). The Manila Plan of Action will be built upon the original POA, with the inclusion of new areas of cooperation, such as maritime cooperation, in accordance with the EAS Leaders' decisions mentioned in the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the EAS. In this context, the Ministers noted that the EAS SOM tasked the EAS Ambassadors in Jakarta to expedite the drafting process with a view to adopting the Manila Plan of Action at the 12th East Asia Summit in the Philippines in November 2017.
8. The Ministers noted that the creation of the EAS unit within the ASEAN Secretariat will help facilitate EAS coordination, including the monitoring of the implementation of Leaders' proposals and initiatives. They also noted ongoing work to establish a dedicated EAS website to be managed by the EAS unit.
9. The Ministers noted the work of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) for its research contributions related to deepening economic integration, narrowing development gaps and achieving sustainable development in ASEAN and East Asia.
Priority Areas of Cooperation
10. The Ministers welcomed the progress made in the six priority areas of EAS cooperation, namely energy, education, finance, global health and pandemic diseases, environment and disaster management, and ASEAN Connectivity, including through the Plan of Action on the Phnom Penh Declaration on the EAS Development Initiative, and the existing EAS sectors and mechanisms.
Energy
11. The Ministers noted Japan's initiative, which was introduced at the 10th EAS Energy Ministers Meeting in September 2016, to facilitate collaboration and discussion with the support of ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE), ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) on ways in which government can spur the development of natural gas markets that are open, transparent, competitive and resilient and promote new technologies for the storage and efficient use of this clean energy resource. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the 3rd EAS Clean Energy Forum in Kunming, China on 3-4 July 2017 and looked forward to the 3rd EAS New Energy Forum in China in September 2017.
Education
12. The Ministers acknowledged the efforts of EAS participating countries in the implementation of the remaining EAS projects including developing of the Nalanda University as a hub of academic excellence and new ones in support of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2016-2020, and looked forward to the list of priority areas to be discussed and endorsed by the Fifth East Asia Summit Senior Officials Meeting on Education (5th EAS SOM-ED) later this year.
Finance
13. The Ministers reiterated the importance of financial stability in supporting economic growth by consistently monitoring risks and vulnerabilities. The Ministers expressed support for the further strengthening of the region's resilience to external shocks through continued regional financial cooperation and closer collaboration with international financial institutions.
Global Health including Pandemics
14. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the goal of an Asia-Pacific free of malaria by 2030, and lauded ongoing efforts to implement proposed actions in the endorsed Asia Pacific Leaders' Malaria Elimination Roadmap and the Flagship ASEAN-India Programme for Combating Malaria.
15. The Ministers noted the proposal of Russia for an EAS meeting on managing epidemics risks in the region with the aim to discuss the establishment of a working group on communicable diseases prevention and response.
Environment and Disaster Management
16. The Ministers expressed support to the implementation of One ASEAN, One Response: ASEAN Responding to Disasters as One in the Region and Outside the Region. They also reiterated support to strengthening the capacity of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), which is the primary ASEAN regional coordinating agency on disaster management and emergency response.
17. The Ministers acknowledged the success of COP-22 in Marrakech, Morocco from 7 to 18 November 2016 in the promotion of the post-Paris negotiation in developing the modalities, procedures and guideline for the full implementation of the Paris Agreement, as well as the participants' earnest discussions on plans about and global solutions to combatting climate change.
18. The Ministers welcomed the successful convening of the EAS Conference on Disaster Risk Management and Regional Cooperation on 2 November 2016 in New Delhi, India and the Ambon Disaster Response Exercise (Ambon DiREx) 2016: Tabletop Exercise on the East Asia Summit (EAS) Rapid Disaster Response Toolkit (EAS Toolkit) on 15 – 17 November 2016 in Ambon, Indonesia to validate the EAS Toolkit which was launched at the Indonesia – Australia EAS Rapid Disaster Response Workshop in June 2015 in Bali, Indonesia, and to improve coordination through existing regional disaster response mechanisms in ASEAN. The Ministers welcomed the successful convening of five EAS Earthquake Relief Exercises organized by the UN INSARAG with the support of China and the US and looked forward to the convening of the sixth Exercise in Malaysia in September.
19. The Ministers noted the proposal for an ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Disaster Health Management to be issued at the 31st ASEAN Summit in November 2017.
ASEAN Connectivity
20. The Ministers expressed support to ASEAN's efforts to effectively implement the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, which aims to achieve a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greater sense of Community. They noted the five strategic areas of MPAC 2025, namely, Sustainable Infrastructure; Digital Innovation; Seamless Logistics; Regulatory Excellence; and People Mobility in order to promote economic growth; narrow development gaps; enhance ASEAN integration and Community building process, enhance the competitiveness of ASEAN; promote deeper social and cultural understanding and mobility of people; and connect the ASEAN Member States within the region and with the rest of the world. They noted the importance of resource mobilization, quality of infrastructure, and cooperation with Dialogue Partners, external parties and international institutions in realizing the goals of these strategic areas in accordance with international standards.
21. The Ministers acknowledged the support and participation of key stakeholders to the 7th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium, which was held on 20 October 2016 in Vientiane, Lao PDR with the theme "Intensifying Partnerships to Realize the MPAC 2025".
22. The Ministers recognized ASEAN's efforts to realize the 15 key initiatives under the MPAC 2025 and looked forward to the development of practical project concepts for implementation by the ASEAN Member States. The Ministers acknowledged the participation of representatives from the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC), ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, National Coordinators, National Focal Points, Dialogue Partners, private sector and international organizations in the Forum on MPAC 2025 Initiatives and Project Concepts and the 8th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium with the theme "Harnessing Opportunities and Addressing Challenges in the Implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025", which were held back-to-back in Alabang, Metro Manila, Philippines on 12-14 July 2017, with support from the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the ASEAN–Australia Development Cooperation Programme Phase II (AADCP II).
23. The Ministers lauded the proactive socialization of MPAC 2025 by the ASEAN Coordinating Committee for Connectivity (ACCC) to relevant stakeholders, particularly, the lead implementing bodies. The Ministers acknowledged the adoption of its respective Terms of Reference of the ACC (revised), National Coordinators, National Focal Points and Lead Implementing Body for Sustainable Infrastructure during 19th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting on 28 April 2017.
24. The Ministers acknowledged the ongoing efforts undertaken by the ACCC to discuss resource mobilisation strategies with concerned Dialogue Partners through the ACCC Consultation on Connectivity with Dialogue Partners held on 19 October 2016 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, as well as the individual ACCC interfaces with Japan, China and Republic of Korea held on 25 July 2017 in the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The Ministers also acknowledged the current efforts to raise awareness and socialise MPAC 2025 to the wider general public through the development of videos, sound bites and webpages.
Other Areas of Cooperation
Maritime Cooperation
25. The Ministers reaffirmed the 2015 EAS Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation, including the need to strengthen cooperation and constructive dialogue on maritime security, maritime safety, marine environment, and other maritime issues, including search and rescue, piracy and armed robbery against ships at sea, and other crimes at sea, through ASEAN led-mechanism such as the AMF and EAMF, ARF, ADMM, and ADMM-Plus.
26. The Ministers noted that challenges of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing remain and have become even more complex in the region. They noted that there are initiatives taken by ASEAN-led mechanisms to discuss and address the challenges of IUU Fishing and are committed to expand regional cooperation to address this issue, including through supporting the effective implementation of relevant international law and instruments.
27. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the 2nd EAS Conference on Maritime Security and Cooperation on 4-5 November 2016 in Goa, India and the EAS Seminar on Maritime Security Cooperation: Enhancing Information Sharing on Commercial Vessels, in Sydney, Australia, on 23-25 November 2016, co-chaired by Australia and Indonesia, and looked forward to the convening of the EAS Workshop on Search and Rescue in China in the second half of 2017.
28. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the inclusion of maritime cooperation in the Manila Plan of Action with a view to enhancing EAS cooperation in addressing rising challenges in the maritime field, in line with the 2015 EAS Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation. The Philippines informed the Meeting that it would, together with Indonesia, co-chair the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum on 7-8 December 2017 back-to-back with the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF). Indonesia and New Zealand, on the other hand, will co-chair the track 1.5 EAS Conference on Combatting Marine Plastic Debris on 6-7 September 2017 in Bali, Indonesia, to implement the 2015 EAS Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation on addressing transboundary maritime and coastal pollution. India informed the meeting that it would organize the third EAS Conference on Maritime Security and Cooperation in December 2017.
29. The Ministers welcomed the launch by Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol (TMP), which was held in Tarakan, Indonesia on 19 June 2017. The TMP is a component of the Framework on the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) among the three countries on Immediate Measures to Address Security Issues in the Maritime Areas of Common Concern, which was signed on 14 July 2016. The TCA Framework is a joint mechanism by the three countries aimed at addressing security challenges in the region within the maritime areas of common concern, such as armed robbery against ships, abduction of innocent civilians by armed groups, other transnational crimes, and terrorism.
Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism
30. The Ministers expressed deep concern over the rise of terrorism and radicalization as demonstrated in recent major terror attacks in a number of countries. They stressed the importance of strengthening EAS cooperation to address these threats in a comprehensive manner.
31. The Ministers welcomed the convening and the result of the EAS Regional Seminar on Capacity Building to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism in Surabaya, Indonesia, 5-6 December 2016.
Non-proliferation
32. The Ministers noted Australia's proposal to host an EAS Seminar on Non- Proliferation in the Indo-Pacific in Australia on 16-17 October 2017. The Seminar, which will be co-hosted by Australia and Thailand, aims to support implementation of the EAS Statement on Non-Proliferation which was issued by the Leaders in 2016.
Poverty Alleviation
33. The Ministers underlined the complementarity of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with ASEAN Vision 2025 on community building efforts to uplift the standards of living of the peoples of ASEAN. They agreed to mutually support efforts to implement commitments under the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development towards eradicating all forms of poverty by 2030 for the benefit of their peoples.
Economics
34. The Ministers acknowledged the ongoing process aiming for a swift conclusion of negotiations toward establishing a modern, comprehensive, high quality and mutually beneficial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), to facilitate economic exchanges among ASEAN and its Free Trade Agreement partners.
Regional and International Issues
South China Sea
35. The Ministers welcomed the improving maritime cooperation between ASEAN and its partner nations. They also warmly welcomed the improving cooperation between ASEAN and China and are encouraged by the completion of negotiations on a framework of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), which will facilitate the work for the conclusion of an effective COC. The Ministers recognized the benefits that would be gained from having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and sustainable development.
36. The Ministers also took note of concerns expressed by some member states, and in this light, reaffirmed the importance of enhancing mutual trust and confidence, exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoiding actions that may complicate the situation, and pursuing the peaceful resolution of disputes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and over-flight in and above the South China Sea. They also welcomed the operationalization of the Guidelines for Hotline Communications among Senior Officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of ASEAN Member States and China in Response to Maritime Emergencies in the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and look forward to the early operationalization of the other early harvest measure which is the Joint Statement on the Application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) in the South China Sea. The Ministers underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety.
Korean Peninsula
37. The Ministers expressed grave concerns over the escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, including the most recent testing by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) on 4 and 28 July 2017, and previous ballistic missile launches, and two nuclear tests in 2016. These developments seriously threaten peace, security and stability in the region and the world. The Ministers welcomed the 5 August ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Developments in the Korean Peninsula.
38. The Ministers urged the DPRK to immediately comply fully with its obligations under all relevant U.N. Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs), including resolution 2371 adopted on 5 August, and urged all EAS participating countries to uphold their own obligations under relevant UNSCRs fully implement these resolutions. The Ministers reiterated their support for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner, called for the exercise of self-restraint, and underscored the importance of creating conditions conducive for dialogue to de-escalate tensions. They also emphasized the importance of addressing issues of humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the abductions issue. They expressed support for initiatives to improve inter-Korean relations towards establishing permanent peace in the Korean Peninsula, and stated their readiness to play a constructive role in contributing to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
Terrorism
39. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to counter the activities of the terrorist/extremist groups including the self-declared ISIL and resolved to step up efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism by strengthening security cooperation, information sharing, suppressing terrorism financing, de-radicalization, and preventing the flow of foreign terrorist fighters.
40. The Ministers noted the conduct of the Trilateral Meeting on Security among officials of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in Manila on 22 June 2017, in a bid to further enhance cooperation in addressing terrorism confronting the region. Participating in the discussions were the three countries' Foreign Ministers and heads of their Armed Forces, National Police, and Intelligence agencies. They reaffirmed the imperative to collaborate and jointly develop and implement appropriate measures and strategies to tackle the symptoms and root causes of terrorism.
Other Matters
41. The Ministers noted the following proposals for adoption at the 12th EAS: EAS Leaders' Declaration on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (proposed by Australia); EAS Declaration on Preventing and Countering the Spread of Terrorist Ideology (proposed by Russia); EAS Leaders' Statement on Chemical Weapons (proposed by the United States); EAS Statement on Cooperation in Poverty Alleviation (proposed by China); and will proceed with negotiations on these statements in accordance with EAS procedures, as well as the maintenance of ASEAN Centrality, while working in close partnership with other participants of the EAS.
42. The Ministers discussed the preparations for the upcoming 12th East Asia Summit to be held on 14 November 2017 in Manila, Philippines.
43. The Ministers looked forward to the convening of the 8th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in Singapore in 2018.