Intro

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations[6] (ASEAN /ˈɑːsi.ɑːn/ AH -see-ahn,[7] /ˈɑːzi.ɑːn/ AH -

zee-ahn)[8][9] is a political and economic organisation of ten Southeast Asian countries. It was

formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,Singapore, and Thailand.[10] Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma),

andVietnam. Its aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, and sociocultural

evolution among its members, protection of regional peace and stability, and opportunities for

member countries to resolve differences peacefully.[11][12]

ASEAN covers a land area of 4.4 million square kilometres, 3% of the total land area of the

Earth. ASEAN territorial waters cover an area about three times larger than its land counterpart.

The member countries have a combined population of approximately 625 million people, 8.8% of

the world's population. In 2015, the organisation's combined nominal GDP had grown to more

than US$2.6 trillion. If ASEAN were a single entity, it would rank as the seventh largest economy

in the world, behind the US, China, Japan, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.[4]

History[edit]

See also: Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Wikisource has original

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article:

Bangkok Declaration

The member states of ASEAN

Myanmar

Laos

Vietnam

Thailand

Cam-bodia

Philippines

Brunei

Malaysia

Malaysia

Malaysia

Singapore

I     n     d     o     n     e     s     i     a

I     n     d     o     n     e     s     i     a

I     n     d     o     n     e     s     i     a

Foundation[edit]

ASEAN was prefigured by an organisation called the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), a

group consisting of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand that was formed in 1961. ASEAN

itself was inaugurated on 8 August 1967, when foreign ministers of five countries; Indonesia,

Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, signed the ASEAN Declaration, more

commonly known as the Bangkok Declaration.

The creation of ASEAN was motivated by a common fear of communism,[15] and a thirst for

economic development.

ASEAN grew when Brunei Darussalam became its sixth member on 7 January 1984, barely a

week after gaining independence.[16]

Expansion and further integration[edit]

See also: Enlargement of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

A clickable Euler diagram showing the relationships between various Asian regional organisations v  • d • e

ASEAN achieved greater cohesion in the mid-1970s following the changed balance of power in

Southeast Asia after the end of the Vietnam War. The region’s dynamic economic growth during

the 1970s strengthened the organisation, enabling ASEAN to adopt a unified response to

Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia in 1979. ASEAN's first summit meeting, held in Bali, Indonesia,

in 1976, resulted in an agreement on several industrial projects and the signing of a Treaty of

Amity and Cooperation, and a Declaration of Concord. The end of the Cold War between the

United States and the Soviet Union at the end of the 1980s allowed ASEAN countries to exercise

greater political independence in the region, and in the 1990s ASEAN emerged as a leading

voice on regional trade and security issues.[17]

On 28 July 1995, Vietnam became ASEAN's seventh member.[18] Laos and Myanmar (Burma)

joined two years later on 23 July 1997.[19] Cambodia was to have joined together with Laos and

Burma, but entry was delayed due to the country's internal political struggle. The country later

joined on 30 April 1999, following the stabilisation of its government.[19][20]

In 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an East Asia Economic Caucus [21]  composed of the

members of ASEAN as well as the People's Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea, with the

intention of counterbalancing the growing influence of the United States in Asia-Pacific Economic

Cooperation (APEC), and in the Asian region as a whole.[22][23] The proposal failed, however,

because of heavy opposition from the US and Japan.[22][24] Member states continued to work for

further integration and ASEAN Plus Three was created in 1997.

In 1992, the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme was adopted as a schedule for

phasing out tariffs, and as a goal to increase the "region's competitive advantage as a production

base geared for the world market". This law would act as the framework for the ASEAN Free

Trade Area (AFTA). AFTA is an agreement by member nations concerning local manufacturing

in ASEAN countries. The AFTA agreement was signed on 28 January 1992 in Singapore.[25]

After the East Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, a revival of the Malaysian proposal was put forward

in Chiang Mai, known as the Chiang Mai Initiative, which called for better integration of the

economies of ASEAN as well as the ASEAN Plus Three countries, China, Japan, and South

Korea.

The bloc also focused on peace and stability in the region. On 15 December 1995, the Southeast

Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty was signed with the intention of turning Southeast Asia

into a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. The treaty took effect on 28 March 1997 after all but one of

the member states had ratified it. It became fully effective on 21 June 2001, after the Philippines

ratified, effectively banning all nuclear weapons in the region.[26]

Charter[edit]

Main article: ASEAN Charter

The Secretariat of ASEAN at Jalan Sisingamangaraja No.70A, South Jakarta, Indonesia

On 15 December 2008, the members of ASEAN met in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta to

launch a charter, signed in November 2007, with the aim of moving closer to "an EU-style

community".[27] The charter turns ASEAN into a legal entity and aims to create a single free-trade

area for the region encompassing 500 million people. President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang

Yudhoyono stated that "This is a momentous development when ASEAN is consolidating,

integrating and transforming itself into a community. It is achieved while ASEAN seeks a more

vigorous role in Asian and global affairs at a time when the international system is experiencing a

seismic shift", he added, referring to climate change and economic upheaval, and concluded

"Southeast Asia is no longer the bitterly divided, war-torn region it was in the 1960s and 1970s".

The 2008 global financial crisis was seen as being a threat to the goals envisioned by the

charter,[28] and also set forth the idea of a proposed human rights body to be discussed at a future

summit in February 2009. This proposition caused controversy, as the body would not have the

power to impose sanctions or punish countries who violated citizens' rights and would therefore

be limited in effectiveness.[29] The body was established later in 2009 as the ASEAN

Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). In November 2012, the commission

adopted the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.[30]

The Asean way[edit]

The 'Asean Way' refers to a methodology or approach to solving issues that respects the cultural

norms of Southeast Asia. Masilamani and Peterson summarise it as: "...a working process or

style that is informal and personal. Policymakers constantly utilise compromise, consensus, and

consultation in the informal decision-making process...it above all prioritizes a consensus-based,

non-conflictual [sic] way of addressing problems. Quiet diplomacy allows ASEAN leaders to

communicate without bringing the discussions into the public view. Members avoid

embarrassment that may lead to further conflict."[31]

It has been said that the merits of the ASEAN Way might "...be usefully applied to global conflict

management."[32]:pp113-118

Critics object that the ASEAN Way's emphasis on consultation, consensus, and non-interference

forces the organisation to adopt only those policies which satisfy the "lowest common

denominator". Decision making by consensus requires members to see eye-to-eye before

ASEAN can move forward on an issue. Further, members may not have a common conception of

the meaning of the "ASEAN Way". Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos emphasise non-interference.

Older members focus on co-operation and co-ordination. These differences hinder efforts to find

common solutions to particular issues, but also make it difficult to determine when collective

action is appropriate in a given situation.[33]:161-163

Asean Plus Three[edit]

The leaders of each country felt the need to further integrate the region. Beginning in 1997, the

bloc began creating organisations with the intention of achieving this goal. Asean Plus Three was

the first of these and was created to improve existing ties with the People's Republic of

China, Japan, and South Korea. This was followed by the even larger East Asia Summit (EAS),

which included ASEAN Plus Three countries as well as India, Australia, New Zealand, United

States, and Russia. This new grouping acted as a prerequisite for the planned East Asia

Community, which was supposedly patterned after the now-defunct European Community.

The ASEAN Eminent Persons Group was created to study the possible successes and failures of

this policy as well as the possibility of drafting an ASEAN Charter.

In 2006, ASEAN was given observer status at the United Nations General Assembly.[34] In

response, the organisation awarded the status of "dialogue partner" to the UN.[35]

Purpose[edit]

As set out in the ASEAN Declaration, the aims and purposes of ASEAN are:[13]

To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region.

To promote regional peace and stability.

To promote collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest.

To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities.

To collaborate for the better utilisation of agriculture and industry to raise the living standards

of the people.

To promote Southeast Asian studies.

To maintain close, beneficial co-operation with existing international organisations with

similar aims and purposes[14]

ASEAN–India Free Trade AreaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) is a free trade area among the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India. The initial framework agreement was signed on 8 October 2003 in Bali, Indonesia.[1] and the final agreement was on 13 August 2009.[2] The free trade area came into effect on 1 January 2010.[3][4] India hosted the latest ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi on 20–21 December 2012. As of 2011-12, two-way trade between India & ASEAN stood at US$ 79.86 billion surpassing the US$ 70 billion target.

Background[edit]

The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area emerged from a mutual interest of both parties to expand

their economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region. India's Look East policy was reciprocated by similar

interests of many ASEAN countries to expand their interactions westward.[5]

After India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992, India saw its trade with

ASEAN increase relative to its trade with the rest of the world. Between 1993 and 2003, ASEAN-

India bilateral trade grew at an annual rate of 11.2%, from US$ 2.9 billion in 1993 to US$ 12.1

billion in 2003.[6] Much of India's trade with ASEAN is directed towardsSingapore, Malaysia,

and Thailand, with whom India holds strong economic relations.[5]

In 2008, the total volume of ASEAN-India trade was US$ 47.5 billion. ASEAN’s export to India

was US$ 30.1 billion – a growth of 21.1 per cent in comparison with that of 2007. ASEAN’s

imports from India were US$ 17.4 billion – a growth of 40.2 per cent in comparison to that of

2006. As for foreign direct investment (FDI), the inflow from India to ASEAN Member States was

US$476.8 million in 2008, accounting for 0.8 per cent of total FDI in the region. Total Indian FDI

into ASEAN from 2000 to 2008 was US$ 1.3 billion. The ASEAN-Dialogue Partners trade and

investment statistic data can be accessed through http://www.asean.org/22122.htm.

Acknowledging this trend and recognising the economic potential of closer linkages, both sides

recognised the opportunities for deepening trade and investment ties, and agreed to negotiate a

framework agreement to pave the way for the establishment of an ASEAN–India Free Trade

Area (FTA).[6]

History[edit]

At the Second ASEAN-India Summit in 2003, the ASEAN-India Framework Agreement on

Comprehensive Economic Cooperation was signed by the Leaders of ASEAN and India. The

Framework Agreement laid a sound basis for the eventual establishment of an ASEAN-India

Regional Trade and Investment Area (RTIA), which includes FTA in goods, services, and

investment.

ASEAN and India signed the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods (TIG) Agreement in Bangkok on 13

August 2009, after six years of negotiations. The ASEAN-India TIG Agreement entered into force

on 1 January 2010. The 7th ASEAN-India Summit in Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand on 24 October

2009 agreed to revise the bilateral trade target to 70 billion USD to be achieved in the next two

years, noting that the initial target of USD 50 billion set in 2007 may soon be surpassed.

ASEAN-India trade grew at over 22 percent annually during the 2005-2011 period. Trade

between India and ASEAN in 2011-2012 increased by more than 37 percent to $79 billion, which

was more than the target of $70 billion set in 2009.[7]

At the 10th ASEAN-India Summit in New Delhi on 20 December 2012, India and ASEAN

concluded negotiations for FTAs in services and investments. The two sides expect bilateral

trade to increase to $100 billion by 2015, and $200 billion within a decade.[7]

ASEAN and India are also working on enhancing private sector engagement. Details on the re-

activation of the ASEAN-India Business Council (AIBC), the holding of the ASEAN-India

Business Summit (AIBS) and an ASEAN-India Business Fair (AIBF), are being worked out by

officials. On 27 April 2010, India informed the ASEAN Secretariat that theFederation of Indian

Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) would be organising the ASEAN Trade and

Industrial Exhibition at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on 8–11 January 2011, at the sidelines of

the AIBF.

The Fourteenth ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting on 6 November 2008

in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines adopted the ASEAN-India Aviation Cooperation Framework,

which will lay the foundation for closer aviation co-operation between ASEAN and India.

The ASEAN-India Air Transport Agreement (AI-ATA) is being negotiated with the implementation

timeline of 2011.

In tourism, the number of visitor arrivals from ASEAN to India in 2006 was 277,000, while the

number of visitor arrivals from India to ASEAN in 2008 was 1.985 million. At the Sixth ASEAN-

India Summit held on 21 November 2007 in Singapore, India proposed to set a target of 1 million

tourist arrivals from ASEAN to India by 2010. The 2nd Meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism

Ministers (ATM+India) held on 25 January 2010 in Bandar Seri Begawan positively responded to

India’s proposal to develop an ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation Agreement and requested

the ASEAN-India Tourism Working Group to further discuss and prepare the draft agreement.

The Ministers also supported the establishment of the ASEAN Promotional Chapter for

Tourism in Mumbai as an important collaborative platform for ASEAN National Tourism

Organisations (NTOs) to market Southeast Asia to the Indian consumers and, at the same time,

create mutual awareness between ASEAN Member States and India

References[edit]

1. Jump up^ "Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Between the Republic of India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations". ASEAN. 8 October 2003. Retrieved4 January 2010.

2. Jump up^ "India, ASEAN Sign Free Trade Agreement". 14 August 2009. Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.

3. Jump up^ Vijian, P. (2 January 2010). "Not All Easy As India-Asean FTA Comes Into Effect On Jan 1". Bernama. Retrieved 4 January 2010.

4. Jump up^ Limsamarnphun, Nophakhun. "World's largest trading zone creates a new era for industries, consumers". The Nation. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 4 January2010.

5. ^ Jump up to:a b Baru, Sanjaya (February 2001). "India and ASEAN: The Emerging Economic Relationship Towards a Bay of Bengal Community". ICRIER.

6. ^ Jump up to:a b "ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations". Retrieved 8 February 2013.7. ^ Jump up to:a b Keck, Zachary (21 December 2012). "India, ASEAN Celebrate 20th Anniversary

With Two FTAs". The Diplomat. Retrieved 21 December 2012.8. ^ Jump up to:a b Sikdar, Chandrima; Biswajit Nag (November 2011). "Impact of India-ASEAN Free

Trade Agreement: A cross-country analysis using applied general equilibrium modelling". RTNeT.9. Jump up^ "Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)". World Bank. Retrieved 30 January 2014.10. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Pal, Parthapratim; Mitali Dasgupta (September 2009). "The ASEAN-India Free

Trade Agreement: An Assessment". Economic and Political Weekly 44 (38): 11–15.11. Jump up^ Pal, Parthapratim; Mitali Dasgupta (November 2008). "Does a Free Trade Agreement

with ASEAN make sense?". Economic and Political Weekly 43 (46): 8–12.12. ^ Jump up to:a b Devraj, Ranjit (11 August 2009). "Kerala fights clock in ASEAN free-trade

deal". Asia Times. Retrieved 11 February 2013.

SEAN AIMS AND PURPOSES14 September 2012 at 22:47

AIMS AND PURPOSES

 

As set out in the ASEAN Declaration, the aims and purposes of ASEAN are:

 

To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region

through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the

foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations;To promote

regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the

relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations

Charter;To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in

the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields;To provide assistance

to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational, professional,

technical and administrative spheres;To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of

their agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, including the study of the problems

of international commodity trade, the improvement of their transportation and communications

facilities and the raising of the living standards of their peoples;To promote Southeast Asian

studies; andTo maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional

organisations with similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer

cooperation among themselves.

 

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

In their relations with one another, the ASEAN Member States have adopted the following

fundamental principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia

(TAC) of 1976:

 

Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national

identity of all nations;The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external

interference, subversion or coercion;Non-interference in the internal affairs of one

another;Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;Renunciation of the threat or

use of force; andEffective cooperation among themselves.

 

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OverviewESTABLISHMENT

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in

Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration   (Bangkok Declaration) by the

Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Brunei Darussalam then joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and

Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten

Member States of ASEAN.

AIMS AND PURPOSES

As set out in the ASEAN Declaration, the aims and purposes of ASEAN are:

1. To accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region

through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the

foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations;

2. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law

in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the

United Nations Charter;

3. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the

economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields;

4. To provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the

educational, professional, technical and administrative spheres;

5. To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of their agriculture and industries,

the expansion of their trade, including the study of the problems of international commodity

trade, the improvement of their transportation and communications facilities and the raising

of the living standards of their peoples;

6. To promote Southeast Asian studies; and

7. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional

organisations with similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer

cooperation among themselves.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

In their relations with one another, the ASEAN Member States have adopted the following

fundamental principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia

(TAC) of 1976:

1. Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national

identity of all nations;

2. The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference,

subversion or coercion;

3. Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;

4. Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;

5. Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and

6. Effective cooperation among themselves.

ASEAN COMMUNITY

The ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN,

agreed on a shared vision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking,

living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic

development and in a community of caring societies.

At the 9th ASEAN Summit in 2003, the ASEAN Leaders resolved that an ASEAN Community

shall be established.

At the 12th ASEAN Summit in January 2007, the Leaders affirmed their strong commitment to

accelerate the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 and signed the Cebu

Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.

The ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security

Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Each pillar

has its own Blueprint, and, together with the  Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic

Framework and IAI Work Plan Phase II (2009-2015), they form the  Roadmap for an ASEAN

Community 2009-2015.

Please click here for the ASEAN Political-Security Community Video.

Please click here for the ASEAN Economic Community Video.

Please click here for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Video.

Please click here for ASEAN History and Purposes.

ASEAN CHARTER

The ASEAN Charter serves as a firm foundation in achieving the ASEAN Community by

providing legal status and institutional framework for ASEAN. It also codifies ASEAN norms,

rules and values; sets clear targets for ASEAN; and presents accountability and compliance.

The ASEAN Charter entered into force on 15 December 2008. A gathering of the ASEAN

Foreign Ministers was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta to mark this very historic

occasion for ASEAN.

With the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN will henceforth operate under a new

legal framework and establish a number of new organs to boost its community-building

process.

In effect, the ASEAN Charter has become a legally binding agreement among the 10 ASEAN

Member States.

Find out more about the ASEAN Charter  here .

Major Achievements

I. FOOD

Food Security

 Acknowledging the important of food security to keep the stability, and prosperity of the

region, the ASEAN Member States signed the Agreement on ASEAN Food Security

Reserve (AFSRB) in 1979. Under the Agreement, each ASEAN Member State should

establish an ASEAN Emergency Rice Reserve (AERR), a sum total of the basic food stock

(rice)  maintained by each Member Country within its national border.  Presently, the

total earmarked quantity for the AERR stands at 87,000 metric tones.

 Two projects related to food security are being implemented under the AMAF+3

mechanism, namely: East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve (EAERR) and the ASEAN Food

Security Information System (AFSIS).

 In response to the recent developments of soaring food prices, global financial crisis and

an increasing concern on food security in the ASEAN region, the Thirtieth (30th) Meeting

of AMAF held in Hanoi on 23 October 2008 endorsed the ASEAN Integrated Food Security

(AIFS) Framework and Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Food Security (SPA-FS) with the

main goal of ensuring long-term food security and to improve the livelihoods of farmers

in the ASEAN region.   The 14th ASEAN Summit, held on 26 February – 1 March 2009 in

Cha-am, Thailand had adopted the AIFS Framework and SPA-FS and issued a Statement

of which the Leaders pledge to embrace food security as a matter of permanent and high

priority policy and to encourage partnership with concerned institutions and agencies,

dialogue partners and international organisations to pursue this important endeavour.

Food handling

 ASEAN established the “ASEAN General Guidelines on the Preparation and Handling of

Halal Food” in the view to further expand intra-ASEAN trade in meat and meat-based

products. The Guidelines was prepared based on and in line with the Association of

Religious Ministers of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (MABIMS)

Guidelines for Preparation of Food and Drink for Muslims and Codex General Guidelines

for Use of the Term “Halal”.  The Guidelines serves as a practical reference for food

industry in the production and handling of halal food for more effective presence in the

regional and international market. 

Food Safety

ASEAN has developed the ASEAN Food Safety Network website

(www.aseanfoodsafetynetwork.net) to provide useful information on food safety, such as

SPS measures of various countries, issues in the international standards setting bodies

(Codex, OIE, IPPC, etc.) as well as the works of various ASEAN bodies related to food

safety.

II. AGRICULTURE

Crops

 Increasing of consumers’ awareness on food safety has prompted ASEAN to give strong

attention on the use of agrochemical that resulted residues on treated agricultural

produces. Works have been done to harmonise maximum residual levels (MRLs) of

pesticides in agricultural produces that are traded in the region. To date, AMAF has

adopted a total of 802 ASEAN harmonised MRLs for 63 pesticides.

Another step forward in the regional effort to control pesticide use to improve

marketability of agricultural products and prevent environmental degradation is the

establishment of pesticide database and network among ASEAN Member States. 

Through the coordination of Malaysia, the ASEAN website for pesticides regulatory

authorities “aseanpest” (http://agrolink.moa.my/doa/aseanpest) provides a platform for

sharing of information and databases as well as to allow for discussion, identification,

prioritization, implementation and resolution of problems related to pesticide

management. The website contains information and databases partly available to the

general public, as well as some classified information and data accessible only to the

regulatory authorities of ASEAN Member States.

 With the objective to eliminate NTBs in the form of phytosanitary measures affecting

ASEAN trade, the ASEAN Member Countries have finalized endemic pest list for rice-

milled, citrus-fruit, mango-fruit, potato-tuber, and dendrobium orchids cut-flowers.

Further works on harmonization of phytosanitary measures will be focused on the

development of guidelines for harmonizing import procedures for the said commodities.

AMAF during its 30th Meeting had adopted the ASEAN Phytosanitary (PS) Guidelines for

the Importation of Rice-Milled.

 ASEAN committed to enhance its international competitiveness of food and agriculture

products to enable the region to be the leading producer of these products. A number of

efforts have been undertaken in order to realise the Vision, including the enhancement of

food control systems and procedures to assure the freer movement of safe, healthy and

quality food within the region. The ASEAN Good Agricultural Practices (ASEAN-GAP) for

fresh Fruit and Vegetables has been developed and adopted as a standard for the

production, harvesting and post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables in the region. 

ASEAN had also developed the ASEAN Standards for Mango, Pineapple, Durian, Papaya,

Pumelo, Rambutan, Mandarin, Lansium, Guava, Mangosteen and Watermelon to ensure

that these commodities are available fresh to the consumers after preparation and

packaging.

Livestock

 The main barriers to develop the livestock industry in the region are the presence of

infectious diseases in animals.  Several animal diseases still afflict in some ASEAN

Member Countries resulting on the economic loss.  The diseases include: FMD, Classical

Swine Fever, Newcastle Disease, and Avian Influenza. Recognizing that vaccination is the

practical method to control the spread of these infectious diseases, ASEAN embarked on

establishing standards for vaccines used in the livestock industry in the region to ensure

that only vaccines which meet international standards for safety, efficacy, and quality are

being used to protect animal health in the region. ASEAN also established several

procedures and guidance related to vaccines productions which are published for the

purpose of livestock industry in the region.

The resurgent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remains a serious

threat to the region and have drawn great attention of Member States to work closely

and enhance theirs cooperation in strengthening animal diseases control programme,

with priority diseases covered not just HPAI, but also included Foot and Mouth Disease

(FMD), and Classical Swine Fever (CSF). Taking into consideration the various existing

initiatives and activities as undertaken by Member States and several donor agencies in

the attempt to control and eradicate transboundary animal diseased (TADs) in the

region, the AMAF recognises the need for a well-coordinated multi-agency and multi-

sectoral approach among Member States as well as with the various partners, to ensure

complementary efforts in current and planned activities.

 Another effort to show ASEAN strong commitment and ownership in the regional disease

control programme in the region is the establishment of the “ASEAN Animal Health Trust

Fund” (AHTF).  The ASEAN contribution for establishment of the ASEAN Animal Health

Trust Fund (AAHTF) become an important signal to donor communities of ASEAN’s

intention to facilitate and support long-term sustainability of animal disease control in the

region. The Agreement for the Establishment of ASEAN Animal Health Trust Fund was

signed by the AMAF in November 2006.

In order to promote international trade in livestock, especially among the Member

Countries, a number of ASEAN Criteria for Accreditation of Livestock and Livestock

Products Establishment have been developed.

Fisheries

 A number of cooperative projects and activities in fisheries have been implemented

among others, Development of Aquaculture, ASEAN Network of Fisheries Post Harvest

Technology (FPHT), Harmonisation of Fishery Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures,

ASEAN-SEAFDEC Collaboration on Sustainable Fisheries Management in the Southeast

Asia Region, and fisheries related projects under the ASEAN Australia Development

Cooperation Programme (AADCP)

To promote sustainable aquaculture, ASEAN developed the Manual on Good Shrimp Farm

Management Practices, Harmonization of Hatchery Production of Penaeus monodon

(tiger prawn) in ASEAN, and Manual on Practical Guidelines for the Development of High-

health Penaeus monodon Broodstoc. These manual had been translated into national

language in some Member States for easier reference for the fish farmers. ASEAN has

also developed Guidelines on Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for

Health Certification and Quarantine Measures for the Responsible Movement of Live Food

Finfish as a tool to reduce risks of fish diseases due to trans-boundary movement of live

aquatic animals in the region. 

 As part of the ASEAN efforts to promote regional and international trade of fish products

through the implementation of HACCP, the Hazards Guide - A Guide to the Identification

and Control of Food Safety Hazards in the Production of Fish and Fisheries Products in the

ASEAN Region has been compiled to act as reference and provide detailed guidance to

regulators, SMEs and other interested parties on fish and fish products related hazards,

hazards control and food safety progammes.

Collaboration between ASEAN and SEAFDEC for sustainable Fisheries development in

Southeast Asia has been undertaken since 1998.  A number of fisheries projects have

been implemented throughout the years. To further enhance closer collaboration

between the two organizations, ASEAN and SEAFDEC agreed to strengthen the

implementation of regional fisheries programmes and mechanism by establishing the

“ASEAN-SEAFDEC Strategic Partnership (ASSP)”. Toward this end, a Letter of

Understanding (LOU) on the ASSP has been signed by the Secretary General of ASEAN

and Secretary General of SEAFDEC in November 2007.

Agricultural Cooperatives

 

 ASEAN is implementing strategic alliances (SA) projects in the following enterprises: data

and information, agricultural production and marketing, coconut-by-product, agro-

ecotourism, beef farming, carrageenan, and marketing beans and pulses. Among these

projects, the SA Project on Beef Farming has made significant progress with the signing

of a MOU between Johor State Farmers’ Organisation and Krida Satwa Cooperative of

Indonesia for trading of goats of Ettawa (Jafnapari).

The ASEAN Cooperative Business Forum (ACBF) was established in 2006 with the

objective to promote business linkages and trading among the potential agricultural

cooperatives within ASEAN Member States, and to empower farmers, farmers groups,

farmers organizations.

Agricultural training and extension

The ability of farmers to select, adapt and apply technologies plays a vital role in

increasing agricultural production.  ASEAN, in its efforts to educate their farmers has

promoted and intensified the application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), especially

on fruits and vegetables as a comprehensive approach to improve crop quality and

reduce crops losses. Development of training modules and regional trainings in

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in fruits and vegetables for agricultural extension

officers are carried out by the ASEAN Member States. Under the title “Think IPM and Take

Action”, basic information about the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was published to

assist extension workers build-up and strengthen their common understanding, which is

essential in their working to help the farmers.  ASEAN had also produced IPM training

modules for durian, vegetable (cabbage & potato), rice, shallots, corn, mango, pamelo,

and soybean.

In order to help national governments and non-governments organization in ASEAN to

improve the effectiveness of the implementation of their national IPM programme, ASEAN

established the ASEAN IPM Knowledge Network (http://ASEAN-IPM.searca.org). The IPM

Knowledge Network is an initiative to accumulate the vast collection of knowledge capital

on IPM that can be reused and shared by national IPM programmes in the ASEAN region.

To do this, the ASEAN IPM established an electronic IPM Knowledge Management Facility,

which ensures that IPM Knowledge is available at the point of need of programme

implementers and policy makers. The ASEAN IPM Centre in the Philippines acts as the

Database and Network Administrator.  The Knowledge Hubs located in each ASEAN

Member States are established and linked to the ASEAN IPM Centre. 

 Research and Development in Agriculture

 Cooperation in the area of research and development in agriculture was started in 2005.

A number of activities have been initiated including the establishment of the ASEAN

Agricultural Research and Development Information System (ASEAN ARDIS),

development of the ASEAN Directory of Agricultural Research and Development Centres

in ASEAN, and the Guidelines for the Use of the Digital Information System.

Biotechnology

 ASEAN acknowledged the importance of the agricultural biotechnology as a tool to

increase food productivity on a sustainable basis.  However, at the moment, there is 

public concern on the use of biotechnology that need to be addressed by the respective

authorities. ASEAN adopted the Guidelines on the Risk Assessment of Agriculture-related

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The Guidelines serve to provide ASEAN Member

States with a common understanding and approach when conducting scientific

evaluations for the release of agriculture-related GMOs.

To enhance and strengthen the capacity building, ASEAN, in collaboration with the

International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Southeast Asia has organized a series of

training workshops on the use of the ASEAN Guidelines on Risk-Assessment of

Agriculture-related GMOs for the regulators and decision makers. Three training

workshops on Safety and Risk Assessment of Agriculture-related Genetically Modified

Organisms (GMOs) were organized in Singapore (2001), Kuala Lumpur (2002), Bangkok

(2003), and Jakarta (2004). 

To develop the important aspects of regulating GMO, ASEAN is implementing initiative on

ASEAN Genetically Modified Food Testing Network. The Initiative is to  assist ASEAN

Member States to better utilise  existing national resources  on genetic modification and

food safety, as well as gain better access to information on developing GM testing

capabilities for food.

Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion

To promote trade in agriculture and forest products, ASEAN extended  the

implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on ASEAN Cooperation in

Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme for the another five years, viz. 2004

to 2009.  The MOU is used as a basis to pursue cooperation with the private sector and to

coordinate joint positions on issues related to trade in ASEAN agriculture and forest

products. The new MOU is now under consideration by the ASEAN Member States which

will cover the following 11 products, Carrageenan and other Seaweeds, Cocoa, Coconut,

Coffee, Forest Products (Timber and Non-Timber), Palm Oil, Peas and Beans, Pepper,

Tapioca, Tea, and Tuna.

III.  FORESTRY

 Forest is a very important natural resource for the ASEAN region in terms of economical,

environmental and socio-cultural benefits. The increase forest production, both in terms

of quantity and quality, and increase exports using methods that are economically and

environmentally sustainable are still challenges in ASEAN. ASEAN cooperation in forestry

involves working with Dialogue Partners, international organizations and third-parties

such as Australia, Germany, Sweden, and FAO have been undertaken to address priority

issues in the region.

The promotion of sustainable forest management (SFM) is of the utmost interest and

priority to ASEAN Member States. This has led to the formulation of guidelines where it

can be used as references for Member States in developing their respective country-

specific national criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. In compliance

with the international forestry reporting requirements on progress towards the

achievement of sustainable forest management at the national and regional levels, the

29th AMAF Meeting on 1 November 2007 in Bangkok endorsed the followings: i) ASEAN

Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests; ii) Monitoring,

Assessment and Reporting Format for Sustainable Forest Management in ASEAN; and iii)

ASEAN Guideline for the Implementation of IPF/IFF proposals for Action. Another

reference used as a guide is the FAO Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia

Pacific, which has been adopted by ASEAN to develop specific national codes and / or

guidelines. The Ministers also declared the “Ministerial Statement on Strengthening

Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (FLEG) in ASEAN” in view of reaffirming

ASEAN’s commitment in combating illegal logging and its associated trade.

Under the ASEAN German Regional Forest Programme (ReFOP), the ASEAN Forest

Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) had been established. It is recognised as an effective

information tool, particularly in providing an electronic database and e-discussion

template in support for activities of the ASEAN cooperation in forestry, ranging from

forest certification process, ASEAN common position in international forest policy

processes, implementation of CITES, and exchanging information on ASEAN herbal and

medicinal plants and R&D matters.

 Following to the endorsement of ASEAN Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable

Management of Tropical Forest by AMAF, an online Monitoring, Assessment and

Reporting (MAR) format in the ASEAN Forestry Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) website

had been developed. This regional system is designed to complement and strengthen

current country reporting on MAR towards a comprehensive regional reporting in

achieving sustainable forest management.

Promotion of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources is the main agenda

of the ASEAN Cooperation in CITES. It includes protection of wild fauna and flora from

illegal exploitation.  This is shown through declaration of ASEAN Statement on CITES and

endorsement of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora by the

AMAF.  As a tool in realising the commitments in the Statement, the ASEAN Wildlife Law

Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) was launched in December 2005. The Network

involves officials from CITES Authorities, Customs, Police, Prosecutors, Specialized

Governmental Wildlife-law Enforcement Organizations and other relevant national law

enforcement agencies.

Emerging and Cross-cutting Issues

  In the process of working towards an ASEAN Community, there are also emerging and

cross-cutting issues where broader coordination needs to be achieved. The issues that

have been identified include impact mitigation and adaptation of climate change to food,

agriculture and forestry, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures that deal with

human health and animal/ plant health/ diseases, multi-sectoral cooperation on public

health issues, etc.

Challenges and Prospects for the ASEAN Economic

Community”Posted in Speeches & Statements of the Former Secretaries-General of ASEAN Print

Remarks by H.E. Ong Keng Yong

Secretary General of ASEAN

at the

ASEAN Gala Dinner

London, 4 December 2006

H.E. Pengiran Dato Maidin Hashim, Chair of ASEAN London Committee

ASEAN Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for the generous introduction. I very much appreciate this opportunity to share

with you some of my thoughts on the challenges and prospects for the ASEAN Economic

Community (or AEC).

Free trade is a significant stimulus to regional production, linkages and competitiveness.

ASEAN has made significant progress in that regard since the implementation of the ASEAN

Free Trade Area (AFTA) from 1993. The AFTA initiative has been particularly successful in

reducing tariffs in the trade in goods.

Currently, some 99.8 per cent of the products in the Inclusion Lists of ASEAN-6 (Brunei

Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) have been brought

down to the tariff range of 0-5 per cent, with about 65 per cent of those products having zero

import tariffs. Meanwhile, 91 per cent of the products traded by the CLMV countries

(Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Viet Nam) under the Common

Effective Preferential Tariff package have been moved into their respective Inclusion Lists.

About 77 percent of those products are already within the 0-5 per cent tariff band.

However, regional free trade alone is not sufficient to release the full energies and the

inherent potential of ASEAN. All of us now have to take a further step forward. Deeper

economic integration is necessary for ASEAN to cope effectively with the unprecedented

opportunities as well as the unprecedented challenges, on both scale and depth, unleashed

by globalisation.

China and India have altered the global economic landscape through huge market openings

and greater competition, too. Meanwhile, interlinked supply networks have proliferated all

over the world, among many other innovative and more efficient ways in value creation and

industrial organization. Last but not least, there are the freer and often instant movements of

new ideas, people and resources across national boundaries.

The ASEAN Economic Community. In the midst of two giant economies, ASEAN Leaders

made a historic resolution in December 1997 to leverage the region's potential by building an

economic community (ASEAN Vision 2020). Henceforth, ASEAN is to be transformed into a

stable, prosperous, and highly competitive region with equitable economic development, and

reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities.

Notably, that resolution took place in the midst of a severe financial and economic crisis in

ASEAN. This underscored once again ASEAN's common perception of the critical importance

of greater regional cohesion and complementation in coping with good as well as bad times.

Subsequently at the Bali Summit in November 2003, ASEAN Leaders declared that the AEC

would be the end-goal of regional economic integration (Bali Concord II). This Community

shall weld together 10 separate entities as a single market and production base by 2020. The

ASEAN Economic Ministers have recently recommended that the target year be sped up to

2015.

Put it simply, there will be a free flow of goods, services, investment and a freer flow of capital

in the AEC. This is to be complemented by freer movements of skilled human resources --

including regional business persons, professionals, and cultural and artistic talents.

The consequent gains from deeper and broader integration are substantial in ASEAN. They

are estimated by McKinsey and Co to cut as much as one-fifth of production costs of

consumer goods in the region.

As such, the AEC building process will empower ASEAN to remain a dynamic and competitive

player in the regional and global supply chains. But the same process is also predicated on

wide-ranging adjustments and reforms to be carried out by Governments and the business

sector, among other stakeholders in the region.

The commitments so far made include, to name just a few, the ASEAN Free Trade Area of

1992; the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services of 1995; the ASEAN Agreement on

Customs and the ASEAN Customs Vision 2020 of 1997; the Framework Agreement on the

ASEAN Investment Area and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Mutual Recognition

Agreements, both of 1998; the Initiative for ASEAN Integration of 2000; the ASEAN Framework

Agreement for the Integration of Priority Sectors of 2004; and the ASEAN Policy on Standards

and Conformance of 2005.

ASEAN has three key strengths in the economic arena. We have abundant natural resources

in our region. We have large supplies of professionals and talented people. And, we have the

capability to adopt, adapt and advance technology. By leveraging on these strengths the AEC

is likely to be realised sooner than later.

ASEAN Charter. A key development complementing the AEC work is the process to establish

the ASEAN Charter. A Charter is certainly not a panacea. But at a minimum, it is going to

facilitate the transformation of ASEAN into a rules-based regional organization with a legal

personality. Provisions in the Charter to establish robust mechanisms for monitoring

implementation and ensuring compliance would contribute greatly to ASEAN's effectiveness.

Through the Charter, ASEAN will be able to enshrine the values and principles that shaped by

our history and experiences in the last 39 years. It will virtually become our new and official

birth certificate in the sense that we are re-born as the ASEAN Community. Such a Charter

would also serve to make ASEAN a more responsive, dynamic and integrated regional

organisation. In short, the Charter will define ASEAN's future.

The ASEAN Eminent Persons Group (EPG) has been working on its recommendation for the

drafting of the Charter. In a few days, the EPG's report will be considered by the ASEAN

Leaders during the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, from 11-12 December 2006.

In that report, the EPG will recommend what should go into an ASEAN Charter. And at the

upcoming Summit, a High-Level Task Force is expected to be mandated by the ASEAN

Leaders to start drafting an ASEAN Charter, taking into account recommendations of the EPG,

among other things.

This achievement would not only become a benchmark for the region to further enhance its

cohesiveness and coherence, but also would venture forth a new cooperative spirit for the

community building in the region. To be sure, there is a lot more work to do, especially in

converging the different levels of ambition. Yet, I am optimistic ASEAN is on the threshold of a

quantum leap in collective development and growth.

ASEAN-EU economic interaction. Against that backdrop of dynamic changes and

developments within ASEAN, the EU has remained, among other roles, an important partner

in trade and investment and a major source of technical assistance to ASEAN. The EU's valued

roles will continue to be very helpful to AEC building efforts in the coming decade.

As a market, for example, the EU-15 economies took in some US$ 78 billion worth of ASEAN

exports in 2005, a steady growth of 5 per cent a year since 2000. The EU was the third largest

trading partner, with an average share of 12 per cent of ASEAN trade in the last two years (or

just about one percentage point behind Japan and the U.S.A. during 2004-2005). Germany,

Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France are the most important EU traders with ASEAN.

Likewise, the EU-15's foreign direct investment (FDI) in ASEAN has been significant, with the

largest share of 57 per cent of the FDI hosted by our region in 2000 (totalling US$ 23.5

billion). However, this share fell to 19 per cent of the FDI flows to ASEAN (US$ 38.1 billion) in

2005. Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Viet Nam and Thailand were the main destinations of

FDI from the EU.

FDI from the United Kingdom provides a contrast, however. It accounted for 20 per cent (or

US$ 2.7 billion) of FDI from the EU-15 in ASEAN in 2000, and 62 per cent (or US$ 4.4 billion) in

2005. Singapore and, to a much lesser extent, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam

were the main hosts of FDI from the United Kingdom.

The sharp upswing in FDI flows into ASEAN, by 62 per cent between 2000 and 2005, is

noteworthy. This is an eloquent expression of external market confidence in the prospects for

sustained development and stability in our own part of the world.

But there is still much scope for a significant expansion of commercial synergies between

ASEAN and the EU, according to the Report of the Vision Group on ASEAN-EU Economic

Partnership. Furthermore, such an enlarged relationship will serve a catalyst to the

harmonious and broad-based development of the two regions and, more generally, to the

growth of world trade and investment in the 21st century. And an ASEAN-EU FTA has been

mooted in this context.

In the meantime, however, the deepening integration within ASEAN itself will create

numerous additional opportunities for gainful interactions in trade and investment, not just

among the regional economies but also among all their external partners as well.

What then is the remaining agenda? On the one hand, it would be a mistake to

underestimate the concerted efforts and sacrifices that have been made thus far by all ASEAN

stakeholders in sustaining economic cooperation and in AEC building. This applies especially

to those in the less developed economies of our region.

Nevertheless, the effective coordination and timely implementation of commitments remain a

challenge for attention and management by most Governments and other stakeholders in

ASEAN. There is also much room for more systematic and extensive dissemination of

information to the public, both at home and abroad, regarding integration initiatives and their

(actual or expected) progress and outcomes.

Regular consultations have been held with, and inputs received from, the ASEAN Business

Advisory Council and the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry. However, a perception

lingers that the private sector has not been fully and actively involved in the integration and

community building processes in ASEAN. There are no easy answers as regards the workable

alternatives and options.

On the other hand, it would also be a mistake to under-estimate the remaining tasks to be

implemented and the new commitments to be made ahead. ASEAN is not a Customs Union

with a common external trade policy, including the same external tariff wall. It is not the

single market that the EU has evolved into. We have a large geography and vast seas

separating thousands of islands. Communications and infra-structural deficiencies are daily

headache for our people.

There are still major barriers to the free movement of resources and inputs in the region at

present. Such barriers include large differences in tax rates on (intra- and trans-regional)

businesses and investments. On this fiscal matter, ASEAN has yet to embark, for example, on

the harmonization and standardization of laws and regulations on business and on

competition.

Deeper integration in banking, finance and capital markets is on-going; this can also be an

equally challenging process in ASEAN. Meanwhile, significant volatility in Member Countries'

rates of exchange and large differences in the rates of interest and inflation would certainly

not be conducive to the most optimal allocation of scarce resources. At the same time,

however, there is no plan for ASEAN common currency in the next 10-15 years.

There is then an over-arching issue: the development gap in ASEAN. This gap, which is

unlikely to be bridged by 2020, can be another barrier to regional integration. More

substantive programmes complementary to or in supplement to the Initiative for ASEAN

Integration may be needed. The introduction of a region-wide levy (say, on tourists in or from

ASEAN) for funding those programs is an often-cited option for consideration.

A final note. Deeper economic integration is an imperative although the symphony of

integration is unfinished in ASEAN. All stakeholders must resolve, firmly and soon, to take the

next steps toward the AEC.

To do less would surely mean a future less rewarding, less prosperous, less secure and less

equitable for all the peoples of ASEAN. That is the challenge facing all of us but the challenge

can be managed.

ASEAN's resilience has not been derailed by the recent oil price shock and higher interest

rates. Economic growth is expected at a respectable rate of about 5.5 per cent in the next few

years, according to the Asian Development Bank. All these augur well for the region's own

transformation into a vibrant AEC a decade from now

But such dynamism also underpins a meaningful and differentiated role of ASEAN economies

in the Pan-Asian region where the world's manufacturer of choice (China) and the world's

back office (India) are situated. In particular, ASEAN-China trade has grown substantially and

very fast in the recent years. ASEAN now has a free trade agreement on goods with China and

with the Republic of Korea., while FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, India and Japan are

under negotiation.

Thus, ASEAN is not standing alone in our historic efforts at AEC formation. The future looks

bright with sustained regional and international collaboration, including from the EU and other

partners of ours, in response to the constant emergence of opportunities for inclusive and

stable development.

And that is the message I wish to convey to you all tonight. Thank you for your attention.