[Title] Chairman's Statement of the 10th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting
1. The 10th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting was convened on 9 September 2020 via videoconference. The Meeting was chaired by His Excellency Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
Review and Future Direction of the East Asia Summit
2. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, 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 reaffirmed that the East Asia Summit is an open, inclusive, transparent and outwardlooking forum striving to strengthen global norms and universally recognised values with ASEAN as the driving force working in partnership with the other participants of the East Asia Summit. The Ministers reaffirmed ASEAN's central role in the EAS, and ASEAN's commitment to work in close partnership with all EAS participating countries to ensure that the EAS would continue to be an integral component of the evolving ASEAN centred regional architecture. The Ministers emphasised the importance of the EAS in strengthening multilateralism and international order based on international law. The Ministers reaffirmed the role of the East Asia Summit in actively contributing to a rules-based approach in managing inter-state relations in the region in accordance with international law; promote strategic trust; and help ensure transparent and predictable behaviour and responsible actions.
4. The Ministers underscored the need to further strengthen the EAS to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in the face of fast-changing strategic complexities regionally and globally, especially at the significant milestone of the EAS's 15th anniversary of establishment. The Ministers recognised the importance of having free flowing constructive dialogue on strategic issues amongst Leaders at the EAS in order to reinforce strategic trust and to address common challenges including through practical cooperation, based on mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual respect.
5. The Ministers welcomed the continued efforts to strengthen the EAS work processes to ensure the timely and effective follow-up and implementation of the Leaders' decisions and initiatives, including during the inter-sessional period. The Ministers expressed their support to the enhanced coordinating role of the Chair of the East Asia Summit in promoting synergy between the EAS and other ASEAN-led mechanisms as well as in ensuring effective coordination and exchange of information among EAS participating countries during the inter-sessional period. The Ministers recognized the role and contribution of the Ambassadors of EAS participating countries in Jakarta in discussing and providing recommendations to the EAS Foreign Ministers, through the EAS Senior Officials, on the implementation of the Leaders' decisions and exchanged information on regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives. The Ministers also welcomed the further strengthening of the EAS Unit within the ASEAN Secretariat to serve as an information hub and to facilitate and support EAS coordination and cooperation.
Areas of Cooperation
6. The Ministers acknowledged the progress made in the areas of EAS cooperation under the Manila Plan of Action to Advance the Phnom Penh Declaration on the EAS Development Initiative (2018-2022). They stressed the need to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the Plan through the existing EAS mechanisms and relevant ASEAN frameworks, in close consultation with and with support from the EAS participating countries.
7. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advance partnership in promoting sustainability in all dimensions within the region, including promoting sustainable and equitable development, sustaining growth, in particular, effectively address the adverse socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and reinforce a people-centred ASEAN Community that leaves no one behind, looks to the future and is better prepared for opportunities challenges and uncertainties in the rapidly changing regional and global environment and which will mitigate the multi-faceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region.
Environment and Energy
8. The Ministers took note of the conduct of EAS activities including the EAS Seminar on Natural Resources Management and Information Sharing held on 10-12 October 2019 in Tianjin, China and the EAS Workshop on Estuary Harnessing, Protection and Management convened on 26-30 August 2019 in Guangzhou, China. The Ministers also noted that the 11th EAS High Level Seminar on Sustainable Cities (EAS HLS-SC) to be hosted by the Philippines is proposed to be held virtually on 29- 30 September 2020 due to the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
9. The Ministers further recognised the opportunities for a sustainable and resilient post-COVID recovery, including by addressing transboundary challenges such as climate change and air quality, marine litter and micro-plastics, as well as management of waste and water resources through circular economy. The Ministers looked forward to convening the next 5th EAS Environment Ministers' Meeting (EMM) to enhance cooperation among EAS participating countries in these areas.
10. The Ministers took note of the 13th EAS Energy Ministers' Meeting on 5 September 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, which commended the progress of the three Work Streams of the EAS Energy Cooperation Task Force (ECTF) and the expanded range of technologies covered in the current regional initiatives, including on energy efficiency, clean, low emission and renewable energy, energy storage solutions, promotion of natural gas, mobility decarbonisation, hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). The Ministers also noted the convening of the 4th EAS Clean Energy Forum on 11-13 June 2019 in Shenzhen, China and the EAS New Energy Forum on 21 August 2019 in Kunming, China.
11. The Ministers looked forward the fruitful outcome of the 14th EAS Energy Ministers' Meeting which would be hosted by Viet Nam via videoconference in conjunction with the 38th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting and Associated Meetings (38th AMEM) on 2-6 November 2020.
Education
12. The Ministers encouraged the EAS participating countries to foster long-term, life-long skills development, digital literacy and mutually beneficial education cooperation through the alignment of the related action lines under the Manila Plan of Action with the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2016-2020 as recommended by the 5th EAS Senior Officials' Meeting on Education (EAS SOM-ED). The Ministers expressed their support for the Bangkok Declaration on Advancing Partnership in Education for 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in ASEAN and noted the post-2020 priorities for the ASEAN education sector in the formulation of ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025. The Ministers noted the convening of the 5th EAS TVET Network Conference on 22-24 October 2019 in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK), with the theme "New TVET Strategy for New Technology and Student and Teacher Mobility". The Ministers also looked forward to the convening of the 6th EAS SOM-ED and the 5th EAS Education Ministers Meeting to be hosted by the Philippines in 2021.
Finance
13. The Ministers reiterated the importance of financial stability in supporting economic growth by consistently monitoring risks and vulnerabilities especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 Issues and Pandemic Diseases
14. The Ministers acknowledged the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities and economies in the region and reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating access to affordable, safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics as the best means for curbing its spread. The Ministers committed to working together at the regional and global level, in consultation with the United Nations and the World Health Organization, to address the health, economic and security implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the adoption of the 73rd World Health Assembly Resolution on the COVID-19 response and reaffirmed the importance of following up to the Resolution.
15. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the Meeting of Heads of Agencies and Senior Officials on Strengthening the Preparedness for Infectious Diseases with Pandemic Potential among EAS participating, co-hosted by Russia and Thailand, on 16-17 October 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, which stressed the importance of regular EAS dialogue on enhancing regional cooperation in strengthening pandemic preparedness and response. The need for an EAS mechanism of practical cooperation in this field should be explored by the current COVID-19 pandemic.
16. The Ministers acknowledged the progress of the collective efforts and harmonised cooperation on the prevention, detection and response and recovery from to COVID-19 through a whole-of-government multi-sectoral approach and mutual support among EAS participating countries at the national, regional and global levels. The Ministers took note that majority of Vaccine Candidates recognised by the WHO are from EAS participation countries.
17. The Ministers also took note of the results of the ASEAN Senior Official Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD) Special Video Conference in Synergising COVID-19 Response on 22-23 July 2020. The Ministers welcomed the initiative by Indonesia as the SOMHD Chair and Viet Nam, as the EAS Chair, to hold an EAS Experts' Meeting on COVID-19 response tentatively in mid-October 2020 to strengthen EAS coordination and collaboration on the containment and control of the COVID-19 and mitigating its socio-economic impacts, promoting recovery.
18. The Ministers emphasized emergency measures deemed necessary for responding to public health emergencies must be proportionate, transparent and temporary, as well as the need for the countries implementing these measures to notify of such actions to other countries. The Ministers recognized the importance of cooperation in development, manufacturing and distribution of anti-viral medicines and vaccines, adhering to the objectives of efficiency, safety, equal accessibility and affordability.
19. The Ministers underscored the critical importance of fair and equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, in order to restore the full range of the region's connectivity and engagement for regional recovery and global health.
20. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the goal of an Asia-Pacific free of malaria by 2030, and welcomed ongoing efforts to implement proposed actions in the Asia Pacific Leaders' Malaria Elimination Roadmap, including the preparation of a five-year progress report to the EAS Leaders in 2020.
Natural Disaster Management
21. The Ministers reiterated their support to the implementation of One ASEAN, One Response (OAOR): ASEAN Responding to Disasters as One in the Region and Outside the Region. They also expressed their support for the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme 2016-2020 and its successor Work Programme for 2021-2025 as well as to strengthening the capacity of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) as the primary ASEAN regional coordinating agency on disaster management and emergency response.
22. The Ministers also encouraged strengthening of engagement between the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the national disaster management authorities of non-ASEAN EAS participating countries through the participation in ASEAN-led activities/projects such as the biennial ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX) and the annual ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Partnership Conference and the ASEAN Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management.
ASEAN Connectivity
23. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of promoting greater synergies amongst the various connectivity strategies in the region, and as well as promoting sustainable, quality infrastructure development in accordance with international standards in East Asia to facilitate trade, investment and service competitiveness in the region and acknowledged that the mobilisation of means of implementation of infrastructure projects is critical.
24. The Ministers expressed support for ASEAN's efforts to effectively implement the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 including through the conduct of Mid-Term Review activities with Lead Implementing Bodies (LIB) which aims to achieve a seamlessly and comprehensively connected and integrated ASEAN that will promote competitiveness, inclusiveness, and a greater sense of Community. The Ministers encouraged further engagement between the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) and the non-ASEAN EAS participating countries including through the ASEAN Connectivity Symposium and ACCC Consultations with Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners on Connectivity. The Ministers welcomed the successful convening of the ACCC Consultations with Dialogue Partners and Other External Partners on Connectivity and 11th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium on 26 August 2020 and 28 August 2020, respectively.
Economic Cooperation and Trade
25. The Ministers noted the outcome of the Eighth East Asia Summit Economic Ministers' Meeting (8th EAS-EMM) held via video conference on 28 August 2020. The Ministers reaffirmed the EAS Leaders' commitment to promote trade and investment, minimize disruptions to trade and global supply chains and facilitate supply chain connectivity, as well as to realize a free, fair, transparent, non- discriminatory, predictable, and stable trade environment and affirmed the importance of agreed upon rules in the WTO, which can enhance market predictability and business confidence. They noted the importance of not creating unnecessary barriers to trade or disruption of global and regional supply chains. The Ministers underscored the importance of further strengthening economic relations among the EAS participating countries with ASEAN playing a central role in various regional economic architectures. The Ministers encouraged increased dialogue on common economic challenges facing EAS countries to further strengthen regional economic integration and cooperation and narrow the development gap in the region.
26. The Ministers emphasized the importance of further strengthening joint efforts among the EAS participating countries to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerate economic growth, maintain supply chains and market stability, and strengthen the economic resilience in the region. The Ministers also recognized the importance of facilitating essential movement of people across borders, without undermining each country's efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, to stabilize the trade and investment. The Ministers emphasized emergency measures deemed necessary for responding to public health emergencies must be targeted, proportionate, transparent and temporary and consistent with WTO rules and not create unnecessary barriers to trade or disruption of global and regional supply chains. The Ministers of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Participating Countries acknowledeged the intensified efforts to conclude negotiations by the end of this year while noting that the RCEP remains open for India.
Food Security
27. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitments to implement the 2013 EAS Declaration on Food Security and stressed the need to further enhance food security and nutrition through efficient and sustainable use and management of land, forest, water, and aquatic resources towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Ministers reaffirmed their support for the work of ASEAN in particular through the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF), and encouraged the EAS participating countries to further enhance cooperation in this area in line with action lines as identified in the Manila Plan of Action.
Maritime Cooperation
28. The Ministers took note of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution A/RES/74/19 emphasising, in the Preamble, the universal and unified character of the 1982 UNCLOS, and reaffirming that the Convention sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out and is of strategic importance as the basis for national, regional and global action and cooperation in the marine sector. The Ministers expressed their support for strengthening maritime cooperation among the EAS participating countries in line with the 2015 EAS Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation and the Manila Plan of Action in a collective and comprehensive approach, at the same time emphasising the need to enhance synergy to avoid duplication with other ASEAN led-mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).
29. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the EAS Training Program on Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Operators on 2-22 September 2019 in Shanghai, China; the EAS Workshop on Maritime Cooperation: Sustainable and Responsible Fisheries Management on 17-19 November 2019 in Manila, Philippines; and the 4th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation convened by India, Australia and Indonesia on 6-7 February 2020 in Chennai, India.
30. The Ministers welcomed the outcomes of the 9th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the 7th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) held on 5-6 December 2019 in Da Nang, Viet Nam and looked forward to the convening of the 10th AMF and the 8th EAMF.
Other Areas
31. The Ministers stressed the growing importance of security in the use of information and Communications Technologies (ICTs), and reaffirmed the need to enhance cooperation to promote a peaceful, secure, open, competitive and cooperative ICT environment and prevent conflict and crisis) by developing trust and confidence between and among states and by capacity building. In this regard, the Ministers encouraged the EAS participating countries to further enhance cooperation in line with the 2015 EAS Leaders' Statement on Issues Related to Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies and 2018 EAS Leaders' Statement on Deepening Cooperation in the Security of Information and Communications Technologies and of the Digital Economy. The Ministers welcomed Singapore and Australia's plan to co-host an EAS cyber capacity building workshop in on 21-22 September 2020 via videoconference.
32. The Ministers acknowledged that discussions on traditional and non- traditional security issues have been increasingly featured in the EAS, and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the relevant EAS Leaders' Statements and Declarations, including the 2019 EAS Leaders' Statement on Cooperation to Combat Transnational Crime; the 2019 EAS Leaders' Statement on Combating the Spread of Illicit Drugs; the 2018 EAS Leaders' Statement on the Safe and Security Use, Storage, and Transport of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Materials; the 2017 EAS Leaders' Statement on Chemical Weapons; and the 2016 EAS Statement on Non-Proliferation.
33. The Ministers noted the complex situation in Rakhine State and appreciated the efforts of the Secretary-General of ASEAN in leading the implementation of the recommedations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment (PNA). They also welcomed the operationalization of the Ad-hoc Support Team of the ASEAN Secretariat and stressed the need to find a durable solution to address the root causes of the conflict and to create a conducive environment so that the affected communities can rebuild their lives.
Regional and International Issues
Korean Peninsula
34. The Ministers recognized the efforts and achievements made by all the parties concerned for advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula over the last two years. The Ministers stressed the importance of continued dialogue and peaceful resolution among all parties concerned in order to realise lasting peace and stability in a denuclearised Korean Peninsula. The Ministers urged all parties concerned to resume dialogue and continue working constructively toward lasting peace, stability and denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula, including through the full and expeditious implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration, and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Joint Statement by the Leaders of the United States and the DPRK. The Ministers underscored the significance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and noted the ROK's proposals to advance inter-Korean relations. The Ministers reiterated their commitment to the full implementation of all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions by all UN Members and supported international efforts to bring about the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Some Ministers emphasised the importance of addressing issues of humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the resolution of the abductions issue.
South China Sea
35. The Ministers 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. The Ministers 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. The Ministers welcomed the continuously improving cooperation between ASEAN and China, and were encouraged by the progress of the substantive 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, within a mutually-agreed timeline. The Ministers appreciated efforts undertaken to continue the second reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text in spite of the evolving pandemic situation. The Ministers emphasised the need to maintain and promote an environment conducive to the COC negotiations, and thus welcomed practical measures that could reduce tensions and the risk of accidents, misunderstandings and miscalculation. The Ministers stressed the importance of undertaking confidence building and preventive measures to enhance, among others, trust and confidence amongst parties; and reaffirmed the importance of upholding international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
36. The Ministers discussed the situation in the South China Sea, during which concerns were expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations, activities, and serious incidents in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions, and may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region. The Ministers 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. The Ministers further reaffirmed the need to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. The Ministers 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.
Countering Violent Extremism, Radicalisation and Terrorism
37. The Ministers condemned recent terrorist attacks in various countries. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to countering violent extremism, radicalisation and terrorism including through the effective implementation of counterterrorism measures at the national, sub-regional, regional levels including under the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism where applicable, the UN Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy, and the relevant UNSCRs. The Ministers discussed the ongoing need for countries to support a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the active participation and collaboration of all States and international and regional organisations to address terrorist threats. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the region in countering violent extremism, radicalisation and terrorism, including through the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (2018-2025) and national action plans of ASEAN Member States.
38. The Ministers stressed the importance of strengthening EAS cooperation to address these threats in a comprehensive manner which also includes promoting greater awareness of different cultures, customs and faiths in order to foster tolerant and responsible societies. This is in line with the implementation of EAS Leaders' Statements adopted in this area, which also includes through promoting greater awareness of different cultures, customs and faiths to foster tolerant and responsible societies, by expanding women's role in the peace process and conflict transformation and by advancing inter-cultural exchanges, dialogues, and reciprocal understanding in building peaceful, prosperous, conflict-resilient, and responsible societies. The Ministers also underlined the importance of strengthening international cooperation, consistent with applicable international and domestic laws, to address the threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters. The Ministers also reaffirmed their strong commitment to preventing the use of ICTs including the internet for terrorist purposes or the spread of violent extremism conducive to terrorism.
Enduring Regional Architecture
The Ministers recognised the challenges and uncertainties faced by the region that could undermine regional security, sustainable development and economic growth, and reiterated their support for a peaceful, stable, resilient, dynamic, and inclusive people-centred ASEAN Community and for ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture. The Ministers recognized the importance placed by ASEAN on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which stated the principles including strengthening ASEAN Centrality, openness, transparency, inclusivity, a rules-based framework, good governance, respect for sovereignty, non-intervention, complementarity with existing cooperation frameworks, equality, mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, and respect for international law. They recognised that the Outlook will serve as a guide for ASEAN engagement in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions to contribute to peace, stability, freedom and prosperity. The Ministers looked forward to further discussions on working with ASEAN to promote engagement and explore mutually beneficial cooperation in the priority areas identified in the Outlook through practical projects and of common interest and mutual benefits, and of common interest and mutual benefits through existing ASEAN-led platforms.
Other matters
39. The Ministers supported the following proposals for outcome documents of the 15th EAS: Ha Noi Declaration on the 15th Anniversary of the East Asia Summit; EAS Leaders' Statement on Marine Sustainability; EAS Leaders' Statement on Strengthening Collective Capacity in Epidemics Prevention and Response; EAS Leaders' Statement on Cooperation to Promote Steady Growth of Regional Economy; and EAS Leaders' Statement on Women, Peace and Security. The Ministers also noted that these statements are being negotiated by the EAS Ambassadors in Jakarta and looked forward to their timely submission for the adoption of the EAS Leaders.
40. The Ministers discussed the preparations for the upcoming 15th East Asia Summit to be held in November 2020 in Viet Nam.
41. The Ministers looked forward to the convening of the 11th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in Brunei in 2021.