ID :
85975
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 19:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/85975
The shortlink copeid
ASEAN leaders emphasise connectivity, agree to develop transport system to link member countries
HUA HIN, Oct 24 (TNA) - The 10 country Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Saturday agreed to develop a regional highway transport system linking member countries, and Thailand proposed to set up an ASEAN Highway Centre to support the network.
On the second day of the 15th ASEAN Summit, the leaders discussed the issue of connectivity, natural disasters, climate change, the global economic and financial crisis, and food and energy security.
They reaffirmed their determination to promote ‘connectivity’ in terms of physical infrastructure, that is road, rail, maritime and air links, trade, ICT, as well as connecting ideas and the hearts and minds of ASEAN peoples.
Greater connectivity, they believe, will boost economic growth and opportunity, regional integration, benefit all ASEAN, and will also ensure that the pact is a central and effective player with East and South Asia in the evolving regional architecture.
Thailand expressed readiness to develop an ASEAN Highway Centre, restating its hope that ASEAN develops dual rail tracks, making this a priority in a yet-to-come ASEAN master plan.
The leaders emphasised the need to raise funds for infrastructure development and tasked the finance ministers to plan an ASEAN infrastructure development fund, building on the funds that China and Japan have pledged to present at the next summit. ASEAN will interact with its dialogue partners and external parties to promote ASEAN connectivity and adequate funding.
The leaders tasked ASEAN’s secretariat to plan for a task force on ASEAN connectivity so it can begin its work early next year.
To promote connectivity in the hearts and minds of the region’s public, proposals were made to promote the ASEAN spirit among the young, including leadership programmes for young leaders, to involve them in ASEAN and promote regional understanding in schools.
ASEAN leaders pledged to work, together and with other countries, to contribute to the Copenhagen Summit for results that are mutually meaningful for both developed and developing countries.
The ASEAN Statement on Climate Change should serve as a basis for a common approach to the Copenhagen Summit.
As for natural disasters, the leaders called for better readiness, an early warning system and a mechanism for timely rescue and aid, applying the Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, which takes effect late this year. They called on defence agencies, with resources, to help in natural disaster relief and management.
They discussed cooperation with other countries and international bodies to share experiences and information on disaster management as well as upgrading skills for emergency personnel. And adequate food should be reserved for emergencies.
ASEAN leaders look to the launch of the US$120 billion Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) by the end of this year to help restore confidence and improve the ability to address the financial and economic crisis.
Thailand offered to temporarily host the CMI surveillance unit to help provide early warning for crises in the future.
The leaders agreed that ASEAN should continue to be represented in the G20, and that a consultation process for the G20 be institutionalized.
They tasked their finance officials to coordinate ASEAN’s position and agreed to form a contact group with Vietnam as the next chair, Indonesia as a member of G20 and the ASEAN Secretary-General, to ensure coordination among the member countries.
On energy security, they noted the need to cooperate regarding development of energy infrastructure, improved energy efficiency and development of technologies for clean and renewable energy.
The ASEAN leaders pledged their support for a successful Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in 2010, which the Philippines will chair. (TNA)
On the second day of the 15th ASEAN Summit, the leaders discussed the issue of connectivity, natural disasters, climate change, the global economic and financial crisis, and food and energy security.
They reaffirmed their determination to promote ‘connectivity’ in terms of physical infrastructure, that is road, rail, maritime and air links, trade, ICT, as well as connecting ideas and the hearts and minds of ASEAN peoples.
Greater connectivity, they believe, will boost economic growth and opportunity, regional integration, benefit all ASEAN, and will also ensure that the pact is a central and effective player with East and South Asia in the evolving regional architecture.
Thailand expressed readiness to develop an ASEAN Highway Centre, restating its hope that ASEAN develops dual rail tracks, making this a priority in a yet-to-come ASEAN master plan.
The leaders emphasised the need to raise funds for infrastructure development and tasked the finance ministers to plan an ASEAN infrastructure development fund, building on the funds that China and Japan have pledged to present at the next summit. ASEAN will interact with its dialogue partners and external parties to promote ASEAN connectivity and adequate funding.
The leaders tasked ASEAN’s secretariat to plan for a task force on ASEAN connectivity so it can begin its work early next year.
To promote connectivity in the hearts and minds of the region’s public, proposals were made to promote the ASEAN spirit among the young, including leadership programmes for young leaders, to involve them in ASEAN and promote regional understanding in schools.
ASEAN leaders pledged to work, together and with other countries, to contribute to the Copenhagen Summit for results that are mutually meaningful for both developed and developing countries.
The ASEAN Statement on Climate Change should serve as a basis for a common approach to the Copenhagen Summit.
As for natural disasters, the leaders called for better readiness, an early warning system and a mechanism for timely rescue and aid, applying the Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, which takes effect late this year. They called on defence agencies, with resources, to help in natural disaster relief and management.
They discussed cooperation with other countries and international bodies to share experiences and information on disaster management as well as upgrading skills for emergency personnel. And adequate food should be reserved for emergencies.
ASEAN leaders look to the launch of the US$120 billion Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) by the end of this year to help restore confidence and improve the ability to address the financial and economic crisis.
Thailand offered to temporarily host the CMI surveillance unit to help provide early warning for crises in the future.
The leaders agreed that ASEAN should continue to be represented in the G20, and that a consultation process for the G20 be institutionalized.
They tasked their finance officials to coordinate ASEAN’s position and agreed to form a contact group with Vietnam as the next chair, Indonesia as a member of G20 and the ASEAN Secretary-General, to ensure coordination among the member countries.
On energy security, they noted the need to cooperate regarding development of energy infrastructure, improved energy efficiency and development of technologies for clean and renewable energy.
The ASEAN leaders pledged their support for a successful Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in 2010, which the Philippines will chair. (TNA)
