ASEAN Secretariat

ASEAN Today December 2013 Metro TV (Indonesia)

Thailand's Plan for Fresh Elections Tops "ASEAN Today"

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra hopes Thailand's political crisis will be defused by calling for national elections in early February.  That tops the latest edition of "ASEAN Today." Onravee Tangmeesang of Thailand's Nation Channel co-hosts from Bangkok with Dalton Tanonaka of Indonesia's Metro TV in Jakarta. They also report on Southeast Asia's supply of fish to the world's biggest market in Tokyo, Viet Nam's successful fight against dengue fever, and the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar. Nonggol Darapati of the ASEAN Secretariat has the month's regular feedback segment.

Indonesian kids donate money to Haiyan survivors in the Philippines

Eleven-year-old pupils from an Indonesian school came to the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) this morning and handed-over their cash donation for typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines. A Filipino staff of ASEC received the equivalent of USD1,200 raised by pupils from Sekolah Global Mandiri in Jakarta.

“It is so kind of you to make this gesture,” Romeo Arca Jr. told the Indonesian kids when he accepted the donation on behalf of the Haiyan survivors. “This means a lot for the Philippines. Your donation will make those kids who were affected by the typhoon happy. Bless you!” the visibly touched Arca said.

ASEAN and EU hold dialogue on economic and connectivity issues

The ASEAN Secretariat together with the French and German Embassies in Indonesia held the ASEAN-Europe Economic Dialogue from 10-11 December 2013 at the ASEAN Secretariat in the Indonesian capital.

The session on “the importance of regional integration and trade in addressing global economic challenges: ASEAN & EU perspectives” brought together panelists from Europe and ASEAN.  Meanwhile, the session on “Connectivity within ASEAN and between ASEAN and Europe” gave opportunity to major experts from the private and public sectors to discuss connectivity issues. 

Slovenia to forge closer cooperation with ASEAN

Ambassador Milan Balažic of the Republic of Slovenia thanked ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh for accepting his credentials and promised to work closely with ASEAN and the Secretariat officials in forging closer cooperation between ASEAN and Slovenia in areas of mutual interests.

ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation kicks off in Jakarta

The ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) held its first Governing Council (GC) meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat. The meeting discussed, among others, the Work Plan of the AIPR, the recruitment of Executive Director, funding, and reporting mechanism of the AIPR.

ASEAN, United States Launch New Cooperation Programmes

JAKARTA, 6 December 2013 - ASEAN and U.S. officials met today to launch new cooperation programmes and mark achievements over the course of 36 years of partnership. The event highlighted joint promotion of trade and investment, good governance, combatting transnational crimes such as trafficking in persons and wildlife trafficking, and promoting people-to-people ties through youth engagement activities.

ASEAN Youth pledge to protect the environment

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 4 December 2013 - The ASEAN Plus Three Youth Environment Forum (AYEF) closed today with the youth participants making a pledge to take on environmental protection as a personal responsibility and demonstrate it through their daily activities to inspire other youths in their respective countries.

ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children maps out plan of action

The ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) agreed on a plan of action at its Special Meeting convened on 26-27 November 2013 in Brunei Darussalam.

Subsequent to the adoption of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Elimination of Violence Against Children in ASEAN by the Leaders at the 23rd ASEAN Summit on 9 October 2013, the ACWC discussed strategies to implement the eight areas of commitments reflected in the Declaration. A framework of actions was discussed based on the corresponding projects under the ACWC Work Plan 2012-2016. An inter-sectoral consultation meeting with other relevant ASEAN bodies and dialogue session with civil society organisations were planned for February 2014 to socialize the Declaration and explore their potential contribution to its implementation.

MESSAGE of H.E. LE LUONG MINH

ASEAN Secretary-General

This year’s theme of the World AIDS Day - “Shared Responsibility: Strengthening Results for an AIDS-Free Generation” - resonates well with the current progress of ASEAN towards an ASEAN Community by 2015 with one vision and one identity.

An ASEAN Community in a stable political and secure environment amidst a robust economy and progressive socio-cultural development can only be sustainable if the current and future generations are assured of a healthy and disease-free community. Such a community includes an AIDS-free generation. More specifically, a community that is free from the impacts brought about by HIV and AIDS.

In commemorating the World AIDS Day this year, the ASEAN Community also marks the second year of moving towards the targets of the ASEAN Declaration of Commitment: Getting to Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination, Zero AIDS-Related Deaths. This was adopted by the ASEAN Leaders at the 19th ASEAN Summit in November 2011 with specific targets outlined for 2015. The implementation of this Declaration commenced through the ASEAN Cities Getting to Zero Initiative in 13 cities/areas within the ASEAN region. Progress has already been made in the localization of this Declaration in these cities/areas in ASEAN.

Proactive, dynamic and harmonized actions are constantly called upon from ASEAN Member States in pursuing the targets committed by their respective ASEAN Leaders through this Declaration. ASEAN, through the ASEAN Task Force on AIDS (ATFOA), has progressively worked towards the sharing of responsibilities in getting to three zeros in the ASEAN communities. The shared responsibilities in strengthening the achievement of targeted results include, among others, the need to invest more in developing innovations in preventing the spread of HIV; and to advocate for a committed stance in implementing innovative and evidence-based research programmes and policies to combat HIV and AIDS.

ASEAN needs strong political will, adequate financial resources and effective evidence-based approaches and support from partners in order to achieve these three zeros. I urge all concerned to continue to work on the ASEAN Declaration of Commitment in getting to zeros and build on political commitments, investments, energy, activism and determinations that have brought us to this turning point.

IOM Regional Director Calls on ASEAN Secretary-General

The Director of Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mr. Andrew Bruce, called  on Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh at his office here yesterday.

Viet Nam hosts disaster management partnership conference for ASEAN

Viet Nam, current chair of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) hosted a partnership conference to accelerate and support the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER). The conference was officially opened by Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Alicia dela Rosa Bala, Australian Ambassador to ASEAN Simon Merrifield, and Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dieu, Deputy Director-General, Directorate of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam.

The conference is a medium for ASEAN’s expression as a community and for partners to learn about mutual partnership on disaster management with ASEAN. A total of 21 flagship projects that will be implemented in were announced at the conference. The 21 flagship projects are developed by taking into consideration positive progress that needs to be maintained in order to ensure maximum achievement by the end of 2015.

Moving Ahead with ASEAN-India Connectivity

ASEAN, Indian and Japanese senior officials and private sector involved in connectivity came together at the Symposium on “Towards Realisation of ASEAN Connectivity Plus: Moving Forward with ASEAN-India Connectivity” in Bangkok, Thailand on 27 November 2013 to promote greater ASEAN-India engagement and cooperation on connectivity. 

The Symposium exchanged views on critical building blocks of ASEAN-India connectivity, which include realising the Thailand – Myanmar – India Trilateral Highway, the Mekong – India Economic Corridor (MIEC), financing modalities, and private sector participation.

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT THE FOURTH ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING ON MINERALS

1.The Fourth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals (AMMin) was held on 28 November 2013 in Bali,H.E. Mr. Jero Wacik, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, chaired the Meeting, and H.E. Somboun Rasasombath, Vice-Minister of Energy and Mines of Lao PDR, was the Vice-Chairperson

Opening Ceremony

2.The Fourth AMMin was officially opened by H.E. Jero Wacik, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia and followed by the official launching of the ASEAN Mineral Database and Information System (AMDIS) using Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standard. In his opening remarks, H.E. Jero Wacik, conveyed his deep condolences and sympathy to the people of the Philippines that were affected by Typhoon Haiyan. He conveyed President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s mandate to the ASEAN Ministers of Minerals that outcomes of the dialogues in ASEAN region should contribute on the prosperity of ASEAN people. He welcomed with appreciation on the launch of the ASEAN Mineral Database and Information System (AMDIS) in order to support the development of the minerals sector. He also shared his views that the development of the minerals sector should contribute to the national development of ASEAN Member States, create jobs, enhance people’s welfare, and take due consideration on environmental protection. Lastly, he underscored the importance of further strengthening ASEAN minerals cooperation, particularly in ensuring accessibility and sustainability in minerals development, as well as to boost investment and trade in minerals sector in order to support the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by

ASEAN economy community and minerals sector

3.In followingthe directive of the 23rd ASEAN Summit, held on 9 October 2013 in Brunei Darussalam, for the ASEAN Sectoral Bodies to redouble efforts in the implementation of the Roadmap for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and to prioritise measures and deliverables to achieve the AEC by 2015, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to further strengthening cooperation with a view to enhance ASEAN mineral sector’s competitiveness to enable it to overcome the challenges, and advance ASEAN Member States’ common interests. The Ministers also agreed to intensify cooperation efforts to ensure credible integration results in the minerals sector by 2015.

4.The development of mineral resources has the potential to boost economic growth through the provision of employment, export revenues and investment in infrastructure and human capital. The demand for minerals in ASEAN would continue to grow on the back of continuing economic growth and market expansion within the ASEAN Member States. The Ministers therefore reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the regional framework for mineral cooperation that aims to stimulate the development of the minerals added value and promote the wise use of the finite mineral resources.

5.Emphasising the importance of sustainable development and environmentally friendly development of mineral resources, the Ministers also agreed on the need for concerted efforts among ASEAN Member States to address the negative environmental and socio-economic impacts and perception of mining.

6.In order to achieve measureable success in sustainable minerals development, an effective public-private partnership should be re-enforced. Towards this end, the Ministers placed a strong emphasis on facilitating the private sector as the primary source of investment as well as fostering a more active participation of the private sector in the policy and regulatory discussion and participation.

ASEAN MINERALS COOPERATION ACTION PLAN 2011-2015

7.The Ministers reviewed the implementation of the cooperation activities reflected in the ASEAN Minerals Cooperation Action Plan (AMCAP) 2011-2015, particularly on the measures carried out under the strategic priorities, namely a) Facilitating and Enhancing Trade and Investment in Minerals, b) Promoting Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Mineral Development, and c) Strengthening Institutional and Human Capacities in the ASEAN Minerals Sector. The Ministers commended the Senior Officials for the excellent work carried out in 2011-2013 and expressed appreciation to the progress made in the implementation of the various cooperative programmes/activities in minerals cooperation under the Working Group on Minerals Information and Database (WGMID), Sustainable Mineral Development (WGSMD), Capacity Building (WGCBM), and Trade and Investment in Minerals (WGTIM).

8.Recognising the importance of providing the public and business community with greater access to information on minerals, the Ministers welcomed the launch of the ASEAN Mineral Database Information Systems (AMDIS). AMDIS contains data and information concerning mineral resources, minerals trade, research and development in minerals, capacity building, regulation, as well as minerals company profile.

9.The Ministers particularly acknowledged the successful implementation of the capacity building activities and events carried out by ASEAN Member States in cooperation with Dialogue Partners, among others: a) Training Program on Mineral Resource Database for ASEAN, b) International Conference on Geology and Natural Resources of ASEAN (Geo ASEAN), c) Training on Geological Surveys and Resources Mapping, d) Workshop on Mine Rehabilitation and Sustainable Development, e) 2nd Trans-Asia Coal Trading Forum, f) Training on Mining Investigation and Rehabilitation for ASEAN Member States, g) The 4th Training on Geological Mapping Capacity Building for ASEAN Member States, and h) Workshop on Technology and Methodology of Geochemical Mapping and Seminar on Capacity Building on Cross Border Geological Correlation. The Ministers also noted the outcomes of the Workshop on Permit Policy and Mechanism for Mineral Mining License in ASEAN Countries held on 27 August 2013, in Bukit Tinggi, Indonesia.

10.In order to provide support for effective implementation of the AMCAP 2011-2015, the Ministers encouraged the ASEAN Member States to support the ASEAN Mineral Trust Fund (AMTF) by remitting their contributions to the Fund. The Ministers agreed that the AMTF could be utilised for the projects and activities under AMCAP 2011-2015 and any other plans approved by the ASEAN Senior Officials on Minerals (ASOMM).

11.The Ministers lauded their Senior Officials, the ASEAN Secretariat as well as the ASEAN Federation of Mining Association (AFMA) and the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) for their continued vigorous initiation, coordination and facilitation in the implementation of the regional minerals programmes and activities under the AMCAP 2011-2015, and encouraged them to enhance their efforts in furthering ASEAN minerals cooperation and in ASEAN’s cooperation with the Dialogue Partners and International Organisations.

12.To advance the strategic agenda on minerals cooperation, the Ministers tasked the senior officials to commence the formulation of the next ASEAN Minerals Cooperation Action Plan for the period 2015-2019, which should be ready for adoption at the 5th AMMin in 2015.

Cooperation with Dialogue Partners

13.The Ministers were pleased with the development and progress of the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation under the ASOMM+3. The Ministers emphasised the benefits of having more inclusive frameworks on minerals cooperation and encouraged China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to exchange knowledge in the promotion of scientific and technological research in minerals, geoscience and geological mapping, as well as organising more workshops/training on minerals development.

14.The Ministers expressed their sincere appreciation to the Government and People of Indonesia for the warm hospitality accorded to the delegations and the excellent arrangements made for the 4th AMMin and Associated Meetings.

15.The Ministers agreed to convene the 5th AMMin in 2015 in Lao PDR.

ASEAN Ministers for MINERALS

1.Mr. Haji Md Yunos bin Bolhassan, Acting Commissioner of Land/Director of Administration and Finance, Ministry of Development, representing H.E. Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Suyoi bin Hj Osman, Minister of Development of Brunei Darussalam;

2.H.E. Dr. Ith Praing, Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy of Cambodia;

3.H.E. Jero Wacik, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia;

4.H.E. Somboun Rasasombath, Vice Minister of Energy and Mines of Lao PDR;

5.Dato' Dr. Mohd Ali Mohamad Nor, Deputy Secretary General of Ministry of Natural Resources and EnvironmentMalaysia, representing H.E. Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Malaysia;

6.Mr. Tin Maung Naing, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Myanmar to ASEAN, representing H.E. Dr. Myint Aung, Minister of Mines of Myanmar;

7.Ms. Fay W. Apil, OIC Regional Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Cordillera Administrative Region, representing Hon. Ramon J.P. Paje Secretary Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines;

8.Mr. Lim Ban Hoe, Group Director, Transport and Logistic Group, International Enterprise Singapore of Singapore, representing H.E. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister of Trade and Industry of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore;

9.Mr. Thammasak Pongprasert, Director, Office of Primary Industries and Mines, Region 1, Department of Primary Industries and Mines, Ministry of Industry of Thailand, representing  H.E. Prasert Boonchaisuk, Minister of Industry of Thailand;

10. H.E. Dr. Nguyen Linh Ngoc, Vice-Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam; and

SME Guidebook Towards the AEC 2015

The SME Guidebook Toward AEC 2015 has been produced with support of the project “Capacity Building for the ASEAN Secretariat”, jointly agreed and implemented by the ASEAN Secretariat and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and funded by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.

ASEAN launches SME guidebook

In his remarks, H.E. U Maung Myint, Union Minister, Ministry of Industry of Myanmar, commended the SMEWG for its efforts to launch the SME publication and directory aimed atenhancing greater awareness of small and medium enterprises to a wide range of financial facilities, financial and non-financial institutions available for SMEs in all ten ASEAN member states as well as the market opportunities in ASEAN and beyond.