Chairman’s Statement Of The 15th Asean-Japan Summit Phnom Penh, 19 November 20121

Chairman’s Statement Of The 15th Asean-Japan Summit

Phnom Penh, 19 November 20121

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1.      The 15th ASEAN-Japan Summit, chaired by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 19 November 2012. The Summit was attended by all Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States and H.E. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan.

2.      We expressed our deepest sympathy and condolences to the people and the Royal Government of Cambodia and especially to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah BOROMNEATH NORODOM SIHAMONI, King of Cambodia and Her Majesty Queen Mother NORODOM MONINEATH SIHANOUK, for the passing away of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK, the late King-Father of Cambodia, on 15

October 2012. We shared our sadness of this great loss with the people of Cambodia during this period of mourning. Cambodia expressed gratitude to the respective ASEAN Leaders and the Prime Minister of Japan for their share of condolences to His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHAMONI, King of Cambodia, Her Majesty Queen Mother, the Royal Government of Cambodia and the people of Cambodia.

3.      We acknowledged that ASEAN and Japan have grown together hand-inhand for the past 40 years, reaffirming the strong bond that they have established. We reiterated our determination to strengthen the relationship between ASEAN and Japan in promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity as enshrined in the Joint Declaration for Enhancing ASEANJapan Partnership for Prospering Together, adopted in Bali, on 18 November 2011. We are committed to further strengthening and deepening our cooperation under the five strategies as identified in the Joint Declaration.

4.      We took note of the good progress in the implementation of the ASEANJapan Plan of Action 2011-2015 to Implement the Joint Declaration for Enhancing ASEAN-Japan Partnership for Prospering Together. We appreciated the efforts to develop more concrete projects and activities to effectively implement this Plan of Action in a timely manner and to further support ASEAN integration, narrowing the development gaps as well as the ASEAN Community building by 2015.

5.      The Prime Minister of Japan welcomed the adoption of the Declaration on Drug-Free ASEAN 2015 by the ASEAN Leaders at the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, in April 2012. The ASEAN Leaders looked forward to enhance cooperation with Japan to address the trafficking of illegal drugs and narcotics.

6.      We also reaffirmed our commitment to move forward our cooperation in combating terrorism and transnational crime as they are inextricably linked to the enhancement of connectivity within the East Asian Region.

7.      The Prime Minister of Japan welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration at the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, on 18 November 2012, and emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to realize an ASEAN Community based upon the adherence to the rule of law, democracy, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

8.      We took note of the significant growth in trade and investment between ASEAN and Japan. Japan remained the second largest trading partner of ASEAN, with trade volume valued at US$273.34 billion, while foreign direct investment from Japan was valued at US$15.25 billion in 2011.

9.      We welcomed the endorsement of the ASEAN-Japan 10-year Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap at the Eighteen Consultations between the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and the Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan, held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on 30 August 2012. We expressed our confidence that this Roadmap, which aims to promote strategic partnership in a wide range of areas including improvement of business environment, trade and investment facilitation and liberalization, infrastructure development and connectivity, would further contribute to advancing our economic cooperation and help achieve our objective of doubling bilateral trade and investment flows between ASEAN and Japan by 2022. In this connection, we tasked our officials to effectively implement this Roadmap with appropriate follow-up mechanism for further integration of markets and deepening of production networks of ASEAN and Japan. Cooperation in the areas of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), industrial human resource development for professionals, intellectual property, low carbon growth including green technologies, chemical management and technologies for disaster resiliency should be prioritized, among others, for sustainable, innovative and equitable growth.

10.  We recognized the significance of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP), not only in deepening further economic integration between ASEAN and Japan, but also in contributing to a more robust regional economic architecture. We therefore welcomed the latest progress of the negotiations on Trade in Services and Investment Agreements under AJCEP.

11.  In light of the rapid regional and global developments, we stressed the importance of the Guiding Principles and Objectives for Negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which was adopted by the ASEAN Economic Ministers and their counterparts from ASEAN’s FTA Partners in August 2012. We also welcomed the progress in the preparatory work aiming at the launching of the RCEP negotiations, which reflects the concrete cooperation among the participating countries to strengthen regional economic integration.

12.  We also appreciated the efforts to further promote business relations and economic cooperation between ASEAN and Japan. We welcomed the successful convening of the ASEAN Roadshow to Japan on 25-28 April 2012 and the 5th Business Dialogue between the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Federation of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA) in Bangkok, Thailand, on 25 July 2012. We underlined the importance of improving business environment as mutually beneficial efforts and expected further interaction with the private sector. We also underlined the importance of the expansion of product coverage and membership of the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) for global and regional economic development and are committed to strengthen their engagement in order to swiftly and successfully conclude the negotiations.

13.  We highly appreciated the contribution of the ASEAN-Japan Centre to promote trade, investment and tourism, and its important role in narrowing development gap in ASEAN. We looked forward to the development of its activities.

14.  The ASEAN Leaders recognized the important contribution of the Japan- ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) to the implementation of various projects and activities under the ASEAN-Japan cooperation. The ASEAN Leaders also appreciated Japan’s decision to extend the use of the JAIF to the end of December 2013 and hoped for the continuation of the assistance.

15.  The ASEAN Leaders underscored the significant contribution of Japan to the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. We welcomed the steady progress of the implementation of the List of Flagship Projects, composed of 33 projects for enhancing ASEAN Connectivity. We further reaffirmed the importance of continuous efforts between ASEAN and Japan towards enhancing institutional connectivity and people-topeople connectivity. We took note of the good progress in implementing Japan’s Visions: “Formation of the Vital Artery for East-West and Southern Economic Corridor” and “Maritime Economic Corridor” as well as the implementation of “soft infrastructure projects on all ASEAN region” for enhancing ASEAN Connectivity. We also appreciated the good progress
made in the implementation of Japan’s initiative to train 1,000 trainees from East Asia in the field of infrastructure.

16.  The ASEAN Leaders looked forward to new initiatives of ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership for further development of safe, green and user friendly transport. They also appreciated Japan’s continued cooperation to enhance connectivity in the transport sector as well as ongoing efforts for expansion of “Open Skies” with ASEAN Member States.

17.  The ASEAN Leaders further appreciated Japan’s active contribution to human resources development in various areas, including the Attachment Programme at the ASEAN Secretariat for Junior Diplomats from CLMV countries. The ASEAN Leaders were also pleased to note the good progress in promoting people-to-people contacts, particularly the successful implementation of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS), which helped to further enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

18.  We welcomed the progress of the Youth-Exchange Project with Asia- Oceania and North America entitled “Kizuna (bond) Project.”

19.  The ASEAN leaders welcomed the progress of Japan’s initiative to promote inter-university exchange through quality-assured collaborative educational programmes with ASEAN Member States.

20.  The ASEAN Leaders extended appreciation to Japan for its commitment to continue the ASEAN and Japan High Level Officials Meeting on Caring Societies which has been regularly convened since 2003. It has been a useful platform for information sharing, enhancing capacity, and strengthening partnerships in social welfare, health and labour sectors amongst ASEAN Member States and Japan. We welcomed the plan to convene the 10th Meeting in October 2012, in Tokyo, which will carry the theme “Caring Societies for the Socially Vulnerable People Suffering After Natural Disasters”.

21.  The ASEAN Leaders expressed appreciation to Japan for its continued support to ASEAN in the area of social security through the ASEANILO/ Japan Project on Unemployment Insurance and Employment Services, and the ASEAN-Japan Project on Social Safety Nets. We noted with satisfaction the progress made under this project during its first year of implementation. We further noted with satisfaction the plan to kick start the ASEAN-Japan Project on Social Safety Nets in ASEAN Member States in the second half of 2012. We also noted with satisfaction the progress made under the on-going ASEAN-ILO/Japan Project on Industrial Relations including the four Regional Seminars which are combined with national workshops in selected ASEAN Member States.

22.  The ASEAN Leaders highly appreciated Japan’s continued contribution in the area of disaster management and welcomed Japan’s concept on strengthening network “from outer space to rural communities” under the Disaster Management Network for the ASEAN Region. We welcomed the first anniversary of the opening of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster managements (AHA Centre). The ASEAN Leaders also appreciated Japan’s firm support for the AHA Centre, namely assistance for ICT equipment, ICT expert, disaster management expert and emergency supplies stockpiling system. We also welcomed the successful conclusion of the World Ministerial Conference on Disaster Reduction held in Tohoku, Japan, on 3-4 July 2012, which aimed at contributing to the building of resilient societies through sharing experiences and lessons learned from recent large-scale natural disasters in the world, including the Great East Japan Earthquake with an emphasis on human security. We also welcomed the offer made by Japan to host the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in
2015. We shared the common view of the importance of Disaster Relief Exercise (DiREx) under the framework of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to be held regularly for strengthening the capacity to cope with disasters in the region. In addition to disaster management purposes, we confirmed to conduct further discussions to strengthen our collaboration in the utilization of satellite technologies.

23.  We also welcomed the close consultation and cooperation between the Asian Disaster Reduction Centre (ADRC) in Japan and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) in Thailand, particularly the joint projects on flood management, information sharing and capacity building.

24.  Realizing the importance of peace, stability and maritime security, we welcomed the progress of maritime cooperation between Japan and ASEAN, noting with appreciation Japan’s proposal last year. We also welcomed the fruitful outcomes of the first Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) hosted by the Philippines with close cooperation with Japan in October 2012, aiming at promoting dialogue among EAS participating countries to common challenges on maritime issues. We also look forward to the convening of the second EAMF next year.

25.  We emphasized the need to establish greater maritime connectivity and to enhance cooperation in safety navigation, search and rescue between ASEAN and Japan. A more connected ASEAN will certainly contribute to the economic growth and development of the region.

26.  The ASEAN Leaders appreciated Japan’s continued support for ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional architecture through the ASEAN-led processes, in particular the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus.

27.  We underlined the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. In this regard, we reiterated that the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through the Six Party Talks is essential not only for enduring peace and stability in the region but also for the integrity of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. We called on all parties concerned to comply fully with its international obligations under the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and to fulfil commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. We also emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of humanitarian concerns of the international community, such as the abduction issue.

28.  We underscored the importance of promoting non-proliferation and disarmament of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery, strengthening export control capacity of ASEAN Member States, as well as combating the illicit transfer and trafficking of WMD related materials.

29.  We expressed our hope that the Nuclear-Weapon States (NWSs) will, as soon as feasible, sign the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, which will further contribute to the maintenance of regional peace and security.

30.  We reaffirmed the urgent need for the United Nations Security Council reform in order to render the body more representative, legitimate, effective and responsive to the realities of the international community in the 21st century by ensuring equitable representation of both permanent and nonpermanent membership. We also reaffirmed our determination to work closely to achieve this reform.

31.  We appreciated the invaluable contribution of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, in strengthening ASEAN-Japan relationship for the past five years.

32.  The ASEAN Leaders welcomed the offer of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to host the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, in December 2013, to mark the 40th Anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations in 2013. We expected to discuss a mid-to long-term vision of ASEAN-Japan relationship on this occasion. We also welcomed the successful joint selection of logo and catch phrase for the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

33.  We further welcomed the progress of the track-two dialogue between ASEAN’s and Japan’s intellectuals. We also agreed to cooperate and hold commemorative events in both ASEAN and Japan, and to bring about excitement throughout 2013 and looked forward to the success of the Kickoff-Reception, to be held in January of next year in Jakarta, to commemorate the 40th Year Anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations.

34.  We welcomed Cambodia as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Japan Dialogue Relations from July 2012 to July 2015. We looked forward to enhancing the multi-faceted cooperation and advancing the ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership to a higher level.

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