Indonesia (FN), May 11 – The ASEAN heads of state/government attended the 42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, under the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth" on 10-11 May 2023.
On the occasion, ASEAN leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the ASEAN Community, ASEAN Centrality and Solidarity, and ASEAN External Relations.
At the summit, ASEAN leaders adopted the following statements:
1. ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Combating Trafficking in Persons Caused by The Abuse of Technology
2. ASEAN Declaration on The Protection of Migrant Workers and Family Members in Crisis Situations
3. ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on One Health Initiative
4. ASEAN Leaders Joint Statement on The Establishment of an ASEAN Villages Network
5. ASEAN Declaration on The Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers
6. ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Developing Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystem
7. ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Advancing Regional Payment Connectivity and Promoting Local Currency Transaction
8. ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening ASEAN’s Capacity and Institutional Effectiveness
9. ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on The Development of The ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision.
Regarding the ASEAN Political Security Community, ASEAN Leaders reaffirmed the Importance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The leaders looked forwards to the signing of Instrument of Accession to the TAC by Mexico, Panama, and Saudi Arabia, along with Spain this year, and the reassessment of Serbia's application.
Regarding the ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN leaders welcomed Indonesia's priority economic achievements and initiatives under its ASEAN chairmanship, including: 1) Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, 2) Digital Economy, and 3) sustainability to address emerging challenges in ensuring regional rehabilitation and reconstruction, and further boost momentum for ASEAN, which is at the core of growth through integrated digital economy with resilience, sustainable economic growth, financial stability, energy and food security, as well as accelerating the implementation of the Indo-Pacific vision.
ASEAN leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to effectively implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), as well as the establishment of the Provisional RCEP Secretariat at the ASEAN Secretariat.
The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community pledged to transform ASEAN into the center of growth by increasing investment in human resource development to be more competitive and sharper towards a future of work and readiness for a rapid digital evolution.
On external relations, ASEAN leaders stressed the importance of ASEAN centrality and solidarity in engaging with external partners through the ASEAN Plus One Mechanism, the ASEAN Plus Three, East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus.
At the same time, ASEAN leaders look forward to hosting the ASEAN-Japan 50th Anniversary Summit and ASEAN-Japan Friendship on 16-18 December 2023 in Tokyo. ASEAN leaders also welcomed Australia's proposal to hold a Special Summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Partnership in Australia in March 2024. In addition, the leaders are looking forward to the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ASEAN leaders also discussed regional and international issues, including the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East, the Myanmar crisis, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
=FRESH NEWS
