The leaders participating in the 11th Asia-Europe Summit including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pledged to focus on countering terrorism and violent extremism, maritime safety and security, fighting piracy and armed robbery at sea, as well as human and drug trafficking, cyber security and cyber-crime and security of and in the use of information and communication technologies and some other areas.
To ensure the continuity of initiatives that evolve from informal dialogue to tangible outcomes that will benefit the peoples of Asia and Europe, ASEM will also focus on areas like upholding the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, the rule of law and enforcement of international law, human rights, anti-corruption, migration, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, climate change, environment, disaster risk reduction and management, food, water and energy security, terrestrial and maritime resources and issues including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, according to the Ulaanbaatar Declaration adopted yesterday upon completion of the Summit participated by Heads of the State and government of 51 countries and representatives of the European Union and ASEAN Secretariat, who are also the members.
Emphasis will also be given on education, poverty eradication, blue economy, trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, science, technology and innovation, transportation, MSMEs cooperation, capacity-building across sectors, employment, social protection, women’s empowerment, youth and disabled persons.
The 11th ASEM Summit has celebrated the 20th Anniversary of ASEM under the theme of “20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity” and to chart the future course of ASEM into its third decade.
About connectivity, Prime Minister Hasina told the plenary session, “Connectivity is indeed no longer a ‘choice’ for any community, it is about seizing ‘strategic opportunity’.”
The leaders, according to the declaration, are encouraged that ASEM has enlarged from 26 partners to 53 over the last twenty years, and it has proven both its vitality and relevance as an important and unique platform for dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe.
“We are committed to taking the ASEM process forward in an open and evolutionary manner, building upon past experiences, promoting greater connectivity and more focused cooperation between Asia and Europe,” it said.
“We reaffirm that the ASEM process should be promoted on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect and mutual benefit in the spirit of consensus,” it added. “We decide to designate an ASEM Day ‘Asia meets Europe/Europe meets Asia Day’ and recommend celebrating it annually on March 1 or any other day during the first week of March as appropriate with a view to underlining ASEM’s importance and raising its visibility,” said the declaration.
To lead ASEM successfully into its third decade, the leaders committed themselves to reinforcing the partnership, it said.
“Informal political dialogue and cooperative initiatives in economic and socio-cultural fields will continue to be the cornerstone of our partnership, as outlined in the Asia-Europe Cooperation Framework (AECF) 2000 and other ASEM documents. As shifting geopolitics lead to greater uncertainties and volatility in the world, ASEM will reinforce its role as a catalyst for effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order,” it further stated.
The declaration also said, “ASEM will enhance in a balanced manner all three key pillars of its partnership in order to meet the aspirations of our peoples for peace and stability, economic prosperity, sustainable development and a better quality of life. ASEM will strive to further strengthen Asia-Europe multi-dimensional and people-centred partnership.”