ASEAN Secretariat Information Paper

Meetings of COST Sub-Committees, 25-26 May 2015, Phuket, Thailand

Agenda 5.1:Highlights of the ASEAN Summits and other related ASEANMeetings

  1. 26th ASEAN Summit
  1. The 26th ASEAN Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi on 26-27 April 2015under the theme ‘Our People, Our Community, Our Vision’
  1. The Leaders expressed support to the following eight priorities for ASEAN outlined by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair for 2015:
  • to formally establish the ASEAN Community;
  • to develop the ASEAN Community’s post-2015 vision;
  • to steer ASEAN closer to its peoples;
  • to strengthen the development of SMEs in the region;
  • to expand intra-ASEAN trade and investments;
  • to strengthen ASEAN’s institutions;
  • to promote regional peace and security through moderation; and
  • to enhance ASEAN’s role as a global player.
  1. The Leaders adopted the following documents as outcomes of the Summit:
  • Kuala Lumpur Declaration on a People-Oriented, People-Centred ASEAN;
  • Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates;
  • Declaration on Institutionalising the Resilience of ASEAN and it’s Communities and Peoples to Disasters and Climate Change.
  1. The Leaders noted the progress made since 2009 in implementing the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community comprising the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprints, the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan II (2009-2015) as well as the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, which have all contributed towards establishing an ASEAN Community by the end of 2015.
  1. The Leaders encouraged the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) and the ASEAN Community Councils, with the support of the relevant Senior Officials and the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) to implement the recommendations of the High Level Task Force on Strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat and Reviewing the ASEAN Organs within the stipulated timeframes.
  1. The Leaders welcomed the progress made thus far in developing the ASEAN Community’s Vision and the attendant documents for the three community pillars for the period of 2016-2025. We looked forward to the submission of the documents by the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) at the 27thASEAN Summit.
  1. The 3rdMeeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision and Attendant Documents
  1. The 3rdMeeting of the HLTF on ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision was held from 6-10 April at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia. The Meeting noted the following milestones after the two HLTF meetingsinFebruaryandMarch 2015inMalaysia andThailandrespectively:
  • Adopted the Rules of Procedure of the HLTF on ASEAN CommunityPost-2015Vision;
  • AdoptedtheRevisedWorkPlanoftheHLTFandHLTFAPSC2015;
  • AdoptedtheRevisedStructureoftheASEANCommunityVision2025 andIntegral Document;
  • ConcludedtheFirstandSecondReadingsofthedraftASEAN CommunityVision2025. Inessence,thedraftASEANVision2025comprisesfivesections,namely:

i.introductoryandoverarching component;

ii.pillar-specific component of the APSC;

iii.pillar-specificcomponentof the AEC;

iv.pillar-specificcomponent of the ASCC; and

v.conclusion.

The draftASEANCommunity Vision 2025appears asANNEXA. The Attendant documents for APSC, AEC, and ASCC appear as ANNEXES B, C, and D, respectively.

  1. As stated in the TOR, aseriesofconsultations withrelevantASEAN organs,namely,theSecretary-GeneralofASEAN,the CommitteeofPermanentRepresentativestoASEAN(CPR)andtheExecutive DirectorofASEANFoundation aswell asentitiesassociatedwithASEAN, namelytheSecretary-GeneralofAIPAandChair oftheASEAN-ISIS were held at the sidelinesoftheThirdMeetingof
  1. TheHLTFwill undertake the FinalReadingofthe draft ASEAN CommunityVision2025atitsSixthMeeting scheduledtobeheldinJunein Cambodia. TheHLTF willbeginthe exerciseofconsolidatingtheVision and AttendantDocumentsofthethreecommunitypillars intoanintegral, coherent andconsistentASEAN Community’sPost-2015 document atitsEighth,Ninth andTenthMeetingsinAugust,SeptemberandOctoberinBruneiDarussalam, IndonesiaandMalaysiarespectively. TheHLTF is oncourse tosubmit to the ACCWGthedraftVisionandthethreeAttendantDocumentsby15October2015.
  1. 25th ASEAN Summit
  1. The 25thASEAN Summit was held Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 12 November 2014 under the theme “Moving forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community”.
  1. The following are some of the decisions and notations of the Summit related to science and technology:
  • The Leaders welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) and reiterated our commitment to expedite the implementation of the remaining action lines by 2015. The Leaders looked forward to the celebration of the establishment of the ASEAN Community on 31 December 2015 through a meaningful activities that will provide greater opportunities for ASEAN citizens from all sectors of society to understand ASEAN better and experience its community building endeavours and the benefits that it delivers.
  • The Leaders adopted the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration that contained the central elements that will be the bases of the ASEAN Community's Post-2015 Vision. The ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) was tasked to oversee the overall process of developing the Post-20I5 Vision and the attendant documents of the three community pillars for the period of 2016-2025 to be submitted together for adoption of the 27thASEAN Summit. The ASEAN Coordinating Council was also tasked to establish a High Level Task Force for each of the three ASEAN Community Pillars to assist the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group in developing the individual community visions and attendant documents.
  • The Leaders noted the successful conduct of various events to celebrate the 9th ASEAN Science and Technology Week in Bogor, Indonesia on 18-27 August 2014.
  • The Leaders noted the vision and goals of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2015-2020 adopted by the 8th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology held on 25 August 2014 in Bogor, Indonesia, had adopted. The Leaders looked forward to the completion and adoption of the APASTI (2015-2020) by December 2014.
  • The Leaders welcomed the appointment of the Philippines, through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development-Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), as official secretariat of the ASEAN Network for Drugs, Diagnostics, Vaccines, and Traditional Medicines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI).
  • The Leaders acknowledged the improvements in the ASEAN-Japan 10-year Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap such as support for the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, timely completion of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations, increase of business partnership between ASEAN and Japan, closer cooperation in intellectual property and increased technology transfer from Japan to ASEAN.
  • The Leaders looked forward to sharing scientific and technological know-howand expertise on environmentally friendly technology in order to achieve lowcarbon growth in the region, one of the key elements to achieving sustainableeconomic growth. We also highlighted the importance of high efficiency coal-fired power generation as an effective measure to reduce greenhouse gasemissions.
  • The Leaders were committed to enhancing cooperation in energy security through the sharing of best practices, technology transfer, and cooperating in research and development of new and renewable energy sources, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy to tackle the growing issue of energy security

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ANNEX A

DRAFT ASEAN COMMUNITY VISION 2025

1. We, the Heads of State/Government representing the peoples of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (hereinafter referred to as “ASEAN”), gather here today at the 27th ASEAN Summit, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to celebrate the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015 and to chart the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

2.We recall the ASEAN Vision of an integrated, peaceful and stable community with shared prosperity built upon the aspirations of and commitment to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), ASEAN Vision 2020, Bali Concord II, ASEAN Charter, Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) and Bali Concord III.

3.We are pleased that the positive progress made since 2009 in implementing the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community comprising the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprints, Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan 2 (2009-2015) as well as Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity has led us to another important milestone in ASEAN development, namely, the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community.

4.We resolve to consolidate our community, building upon and deepening the integration process, towards a more inclusive, cohesive and resilient ASEAN Community, guided by the purposes and principles of the ASEAN Charter. We envision a robust, vibrant, people-oriented and people-centred ASEAN Community in a peaceful, stable and outward-looking region in a global community of nations, with highly integrated economies where our peoples enjoy a higher quality of life and the benefits of community-building, reinforcing our sense of togetherness and common identity. We further envision an ASEAN empowered with enhanced capabilities, including strengthened institutional capacity to seize opportunities and address challenges in the coming decade.

ASEAN Political-Security Community

5.Our ASEAN Political-Security Community by 2025 shall be an inclusive and resilient community, in which our peoples live in a safe, harmonious and secure environment, embrace the values of tolerance and moderation and uphold ASEAN fundamental principles, shared values and norms. ASEAN shall remain responsive and relevant in addressing challenges to regional peace and security and play a central role in shaping the evolving regional security architecture, while deepening our engagement with external partners and contributing collectively to global peace, security and stability.

6.We, therefore, undertake to realise:

6.1A rules-based community that fully adheres to ASEAN fundamental principles, shared values and norms as well as principles of international law governing the peaceful conduct of relations among states;

6.2An inclusive and responsive community that ensures our peoples fully enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as thrive in a just, democratic and harmonious environment in accordance with the principles of democracy, good governance and the rule of law;

6.3 A community that embraces tolerance and moderation, fully respects the different cultures, languages and religions of our peoples, upholds common values in the spirit of unity in diversity and addresses the threat of violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations;

6.4 A community that adopts a comprehensive approach to security which enhances our capacity to address effectively and in a timely manner existing and emerging challenges, including non- traditional security issues, particularly transnational crimes and trans-boundary challenges;

6.5 A region that resolves differences and disputes by peaceful means, including refraining from the threat or use of force and adopting peaceful dispute settlement mechanisms while strengthening confidence-building measures and promoting preventive diplomacy activities and conflict resolution initiatives;

6.6 A region that remains free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, as well as contributes to global efforts on disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy;

6.7 A community that enhances maritime security and promotes maritime cooperation for peace and stability in the region and beyond through ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms and adopts internationally-accepted maritime conventions and principles;

6.8 A community that strengthens our unity, cohesiveness and ASEAN centrality, and remains the primary driving force in shaping the evolving regional architecture that is built upon ASEAN-led mechanisms;

6.9 A community, in the interest of developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations, deepens cooperation with Dialogue Partners, strengthens engagement with other external partners, reaches out to potential partners, and responds collectively and constructively to global developments;

6.10 A community with enhanced institutional capacity through improved ASEAN work processes and coordination, increased effectiveness and efficiency of all ASEAN organs and a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat; and

6.11 A community with increased ASEAN institutional presence in each ASEAN Member State.

ASEAN Economic Community

7. Our ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2025 shall be highly integrated and cohesive; competitive, innovative and dynamic; with enhanced integration and cooperation across sector; while fostering a more resilient, inclusive and people-centred community that is integrated into the global economy.

8. We, therefore, undertake to achieve:

8.1 A highly integrated and cohesive regional economy that supports sustained high economic growth; increase in trade, investment, and job creation; improvement in regional capacity to respond to global challenges and mega trends; advancement to our single market agenda through enhanced commitments in trade in goods; including effective resolution of non-tariff barriers, deeper integration in trade in services, and more seamless movement in investment, skilled labour, business persons, and capital;

8.2 A competitive, innovative and dynamic community which fosters robust productivity growth through greater connectivity, the creation and practical application of knowledge, supportive policies toward innovation, adopts digital and green technology development, promotes good governance, transparency and responsive regulations as well as effective dispute resolution mechanism; leading towards enhanced participation in global value chains;

8.3 An enhanced sectoral integration and cooperation through the improve-ments in policies, and regional frameworks in the strategic sectors identified as vital to the effective operationalisation of the economic community;

8.4 A resilient, inclusive and people-centred community that engenders equitable development and inclusive growth; narrowing the development gap through enhanced SME development policies and cooperation, effective business and stakeholder engagement, sub-regional development cooperation and projects, and greater economic opportunities to support poverty eradication; and

8.5 A global ASEAN that fosters a more systematic and coherent approach towards its external economic relations, maintains its centrality and role as the foremost facilitator and driver of regional economic integration in East Asia, and enhances ASEAN's participation in the global economic agenda by working towards building a common position, voice, and visibility in addressing key economic issues.

ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community

9. Our ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community by 2025 shall be one that engages and benefits the people, and is inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and dynamic.

10. We, therefore, undertake to realize:

10.1 A committed, participative and socially-responsible community through an accountable and inclusive mechanism for the benefit of all ASEAN peoples, upheld by the principles of good governance;

10.2 An inclusive community that promotes high quality of life, equitable access and opportunity for all and promotes and protects human rights of women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and other vulnerable and marginalised groups;

10.3 A sustainable community that promotes social development and environmental protection through effective mechanisms to meet the current and future needs of the people;

10.4 A resilient community with enhanced capacity and capability to adapt and respond to social and economic vulnerabilities, disasters, climate change as well as emerging threats, and challenges; and

10.5 A dynamic and harmonious community that is aware and proud of its identity, culture, and heritage with the strengthened ability to innovate and proactively contribute to the global community.

Conclusion

11. In order to achieve our ASEAN Community Vision 2025, we shall strengthen our institutional capacity to effectively and fully implement the commitments under the respective pillars. We therefore task the respective ASEAN Community Councils to monitor progress and the ASEAN Coordinating Council to report annually to the ASEAN Summit.

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ANNEX B

ASEAN POLITICAL-SECURITY COMMUNITY 2025

ATTENDANT DOCUMENT

SECTION I: INTRODUCTION

SECTION II: CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS

A. RULES-BASED, PEOPLE-ORIENTED AND PEOPLE-CENTRED COMMUNITY

A.1 Adhere to and promote ASEAN fundamental principles, shared values and norms governing the peaceful conduct of relations

A.1.1 Implement fully and effectively the ASEAN Charter

A.1.2 Implement ASEAN agreements signed/ratified

A.1.3 Respect the principles of independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, non-interference, and national identity

A.1.4 Promote awareness, identity and understanding of ASEAN

A.1.5 Promote understanding and appreciation of the political systems, culture, and history of ASEAN Member States

A.1.6 Strengthen respect for and recognition of the purpose and principles of the TAC

A.2. Strengthen democracy, good governance, the rule of law, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and combat corruption

A.2.1 Democracy

A.2.2 Instil a culture of good governance and mainstream the principles thereof into the policies and practices of the ASEAN Community

A.2.3 Instil a culture of anti-corruption and transparency within the region and mainstream the principles thereof into the policies and practices of the ASEAN Community

A.2.4 Establish programmes for mutual support and assistance among ASEAN Member States in the development of strategies for strengthening the rule of law and judiciary systems and legal infrastructure [and for the harmonisation of commercial laws to support the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community]1

A.2.5 Promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as promote social justice, to enable our peoples to live with dignity, in peace, prosperity and harmony

A.2.6 Increase the engagement and participation of entities associated with ASEAN and relevant stakeholders in moving forward the ASEAN Political-Security Community

A.3 Embed the culture of peace including the values of tolerance and moderation as a force for harmony, peace and stability in our region and beyond

A.3.1 Promote the culture of peace including the values of tolerance and moderation and respect for diversity

A.3.2 Promote tolerance and moderation to bridge differences, defuse tensions, resolve disputes and counter violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations

B. PEACEFUL, SECURE AND STABLE REGION

B.1.Strengthen our ability to deal with existing and emerging challenges

B.1.1 Strengthen mechanisms under the APSC

B.1.2 Strengthen ADMM and ADMM-Plus to engage in strategic dialogue and practical cooperation

B.1.3 Strengthen the ARF process and mechanisms in support of the APSC

B.2 Effective and timely response to urgent issues or crisis situations affecting ASEAN

B.3 Enhance ASEAN capacity to address effectively, and in a timely manner, non-traditional security issues

B.3.1 Strengthen cooperation in addressing and combating transnational crime