The 16th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the first Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summits, held from 5 to 9 April, concluded in Hanoi (Vietnam). At this summit, ASEAN leaders discussed many topics relating to the development of the Mekong such as increasing infrastructure connectivity to boost sustainable development in the Mekong region and incorporating environment protection in lower Mekong region with efforts to address climate change.
At the summit, ASEAN members also welcomed the results of the first Mekong River Commission (MRC) summit that took place on 4-5 April. ASEAN expressed support for commitments from countries in the MRC to increase the cooperation in the sustainable usage, exploitation, and management of the Mekong river's resources. It could be said that the MRC summit was a success. The representatives from China and Myanmar at this summit also expressed their high level of agreement with the declaration of the summit.
Joint Response to Climate Change
ASEAN leaders have approved a statement on sustained recovery and development and a statement on joint response to climate change. ASEAN agrees to urgently implement the ASEAN Charter in a practical way which includes concentrated effort to perfect the organizational mechanisms, improve operational methods to improve the cooperation's quality and effectiveness, and complete all the supporting documents to provide a legal framework for the operation of ASEAN.
The maintenance of peace, stability and security, and safety in the East Sea is the common interest and also a major concern of ASEAN members and countries in the region.
Agreements and Cooperation Mechanisms
The related countries have built many agreements and cooperation mechanisms to ensure peace, stability and cooperation in the region like the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
DOC is an important document signed between ASEAN and China. All the involved parties have affirmed their adherence in the implementation of the DOC and have strived to implement this agreement. The officials from ASEAN and China have agreed to meet soon to discuss measures to implement the DOC.
ASEAN leaders strongly believe that with the goodwill from all side and for the common benefits of the region all the related parties will continue to observe the DOC and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, thus contribute in a practical way to the maintenance of peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea. This is for the common interest of countries in ASEAN and the region.
At this summit, ASEAN members affirmed their continued support for Myanmar's positive integration into the region and the world and willingness to help Myanmar when Myanmar makes a request in the spirit of ASEAN Charter.
ASEAN Regional Structure
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that the summit agrees to enhance the central role of ASEAN in an emerging regional structure.
At the same time, ASEAN agrees to increase ASEAN's connectivity, strengthen external relations with partners, and enhance the activities in existing regional forums in which ASEAN plays a key role such as ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
The East Asia Summit is an open and inclusive forum. ASEAN therefore will investigate practical ways for Russia and the United States to participate in this regional architecture, including the possibility of their involvement with the EAS through appropriate modalities.
The leaders of ASEAN also agree to organize an open ASEAN defense ministers' meeting in the format of ASEAN+8 that will help to increase the cooperative relations in defense and security between ASEAN and partners, and task ASEAN defense ministers to discuss its early implementation.
No comments:
Post a Comment