Nanning, China, 28-29 October 2008
The 3rd China-ASEAN Cultural Industry Forum was held in Nanning, China, on 28-29 October 2008. The theme of this year's forum is "Exchanges and Cooperation: Towards a Win-Win Solution".
The Forum was attended by government officials, academics, and entrepreneurs in the culture industry from China and ASEAN Member States. After the Meeting, the delegates visited model enterprises of China's cultural industry and were treated to the "Impression of the Liu Sanjie" performance as well as cultural performances at the Nanning Theater.
Posted on 31 Oct 2008
ESCAP and ASEAN Hold Regional Meeting on Post-Nargis Recovery in Myanmar
Bangkok, 27-28 October 2008
The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, attended the Regional High-Level Expert Group Meeting on Post-Nargis Recovery & Livelihood Opportunities in Myanmar in Bangkok on 27-28 October 2008. The event was organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and ASEAN, with the support of the Government of the Union of Myanmar.
The two-day meeting brought together key partners, from officials of the Myanmar Government, ASEAN, ESCAP and other UN and international partners to experts with experience in dealing with recent disasters. The meeting provided a platform to learn from the experiences of regional and international policy experts as well as discuss the future steps for post-Nargis recovery.
Dr Surin, UN ESCAP's Executive Secretary, Under-Secretary-General Noeleen Heyzer, and Myanmar Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, U Kyaw Thu all delivered remarks at the meeting.
Posted on 31 Oct 2008
China-ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Forum
Nanning, China, 20-25 October 2008
The China-ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Forum was held on 20-25 October 2008 in Nanning, China, in conjunction with the 5th China-ASEAN Expo. The Forum was convened in response to the proposal of establishing a China-ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association (CAYEA) at the Commemorative Summit marking the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations in October 2006.
The Forum brought together young entrepreneurs and representatives of relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations from ASEAN Member States and China. The participants envisioned strong networks of young entrepreneurs and related organisations in ASEAN and China, working together in friendship and harmony for the progress and prosperity in the East Asian region. It was agreed that the CAYEA would be established as soon as possible following the launch of the China’s Secretariat for CAYEA on 21 October 2008. The representative office for ASEAN is expected to be established by the first quarter of 2009. The Nanning Declaration of the China-ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Forum was adopted to reflect the commitment in this endeavour.
Posted on 28 Oct 2008
ASEAN Law Ministers Convene in Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan, 27 October 2008
The Ministers of Law from ten ASEAN Member States convened in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on 20-21 October 2008 for the 7th ASEAN Law Ministerial Meeting (ALAWMM). The Ministers acknowledged that the development of the ASEAN Charter would have a significant impact on ALAWMM as there will be an increasing need for legal understanding and cooperation among ASEAN Member States.
Satisfactory progress was achieved in implementing various programmes to promote greater legal understanding and cooperation among the ASEAN Member States. The Ministers commended the updating of the ASEAN Government Law Directory and the developments made by the ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM) with regard to the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, the ASEAN Legal Information Authorities (ALIA), Exchange of Study Visits, the Model ASEAN Extradition Treaty and the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism. The Ministers also endorsed the recommendations made by the ASLOM Working Group on Examining Modalities for the Harmonisation of Trade Laws of ASEAN Member States.
The 7th ALAWMM was preceded by the 12th ASLOM. The 13th ASLOM will be hosted by Indonesia in 2010, and the 8th ALAWMM and 14th ASLOM by Cambodia in 2011.
Posted on 27 Oct 2008
3rd China-ASEAN ICT Week Convenes in Nanning, China
Nanning, 27 October 2008
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of the People's Republic of China hosted the 3rd China-ASEAN ICT Week on 21 to 25 October 2008 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. The 3rd ICT Week themed “Building Information Network for Deepening ASEAN-China Cooperation” was attended by ICT Ministers and high level officials from both sides.
At the ICT Ministerial Forum on 22 October which was the main event of the 3rd ICT Week, the ICT Ministers affirmed the need to further strengthen cooperation on, among others, ICT infrastructure, network security, rural communication and human resources development. Both sides also agreed to support the completion of two key documents on network security and telecommunication universal services. Other events that convened during the ICT Week were the Radio Spectrum Monitoring Workshop, ICT Business Forum and a technical visit to Nanning's Emergency Response teams.
The China-ASEAN ICT Week contributed towards promoting closer dialogue between ASEAN and China on strategic ICT policies and regulatory issues as well as strengthening trade and business cooperation. The 1st China-ASEAN ICT Week was held in three main cities of China (Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen) in 2005. The 2nd event was held in Penang, Malaysia in 2006.
Posted on 27 Oct 2008
5th China-ASEAN Expo Opens in Nanning Nanning, China, 22 October 2008
One of the foremost trade events of the year, the 5th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), opened today in Nanning International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The theme for this year’s CAEXPO was on ICT cooperation, one of the ten priority cooperation fields that was jointly identified by China and ASEAN.
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Surin Pitsuwan with Mr.Shi Sheng Long, Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Guangxi Autonomous Region
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, was in Nanning on 22 October 2008 for the Opening Ceremony of the 5th CAEXPO. Addressing the audience, he said he was “very encouraged to see that amid the economic uncertainty, the 5th China-ASEAN Expo has not only attracted enterprises from China and the 10 ASEAN countries, but also companies from outside the China-ASEAN region, including France , Russia , Ireland , Japan and the Republic of Korea . This will promote not only the economic but people-to-people exchanges between the China-ASEAN region, and with economies in the rest of the world.”
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| ASEAN booth at CAEXPO |
The event attracted a record of 2,100 enterprises, with 3,300 exhibition booths set up. Of these, about 35% (or 1,154 booths) were taken up by enterprises from the ASEAN countries, the largest number so far from ASEAN countries.
This year, six ASEAN countries chartered their own exclusive exhibition halls to set up their respective Pavilion of Commodity Trade. The CAEXPO comprises four pavilions – the Pavilion of Commodity Trade, the Pavilion of Agricultural Applicable Technology, the Pavilion of Investment Cooperation and the Pavilion of Cities of Charm. The ASEAN Secretariat occupied two booths at the Pavilion of Cities of Charm. One booth showcased photographs of peoples in ASEAN, while the other introduced the activities of ASEAN.
The CAEXPO was initiated by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the 7th China-ASEAN Summit in 2003 to promote the building of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area which comprises 1.3 billion people from China and 570 million people from ASEAN. The event is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of China, the ten ASEAN countries as well as the ASEAN Secretariat. It is organised by the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The 5th CAEXPO will be held in Nanning from 22 to 25 October 2008. The China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, is also held at the same time.
Posted on 23 Oct 2008
ASEAN Workshop on Domestic Violence Legislation
Ha Noi, 20-21 October 2008
To mark the National Women’s Day in Viet Nam, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Viet Nam (MOLISA), the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Viet Nam in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat and the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) organised the ASEAN Workshop on Domestic Violence Legislation on 20-21 October 2008 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. More than 60 representatives from ASEAN Member States and Japan participated in the workshop. Delegates from Timor Leste participated as observers. The Workshop is one of the activities implemented under the Framework for Cooperation between ASEAN and UNIFEM. It provided a platform to share experiences and draw lessons in drafting, implementing and monitoring domestic violence legislation, as well as for strengthening regional cooperation in addressing domestic violence.
In opening the Workshop, H.E. Mdm. Huynh Thi Nhan, Vice Minister of MOLISA-Viet Nam, highlighted that violence in the family is no longer a private matter of each family or one country; it has become a global concern. It has damaged the human dignity, health and psychology of victims. Therefore, the prevention and control of domestic violence has received the attention of the international community as well as in the region. One of the ASEAN principles under the ASEAN Charter is the respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice. This is an overarching principle that includes elimination of domestic violence.
All ASEAN Member States have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women as well as the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action were adopted by ASEAN Member States.
In the Southeast Asia region, the year 2004 witnessed an important milestone in efforts made to address domestic violence, the signing of the ASEAN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women at the 37th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (http://www.asean.org/16189.htm).
Posted on 22 Oct 2008
24th ASEAN-Japan Forum and 6th East Asia Forum 15-16 October 2008
Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
Senior Officials from ASEAN Member States and Japan met at the 24th ASEAN-Japan Forum in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR on 15 October 2008. They discussed the ASEAN integration process, ASEAN-Japan cooperation to address current challenges faced by the region, such as transnational crime and international terrorism, infectious diseases, environment and climate change, food and energy security and disaster management.
The Forum also exchanged views on the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, development cooperation and people-to-people contact including youth exchange, regional and international issues and preparations for the 12th ASEAN-Japan Summit to be held in December 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Forum was co-chaired by H.E. Sayakane Sisouvong, Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR and H. E. Mr. Masaharu Kono, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations date back to 1973 and were formalised in 1977. The next ASEAN-Japan Forum will be held in Japan in 2009.
Held back-to-back with the 24th ASEAN-Japan Forum was the 6th East Asia Forum (16 October 2008). The participants discussed food and energy security, and narrowing the development gaps. The participants expressed their concern on the food and energy price hikes which were impacting socio-economic developments of the region, especially the less developed and developing countries.
The Forum agreed on the need for closer collaboration among the ASEAN Plus Three countries (ASEAN, China, Japan and Republic of Korea) as well as with other countries and regional and international organisations to address challenges of food and energy security in the region.
On narrowing the development gaps, the participants voiced the need to ensure the deepening and broadening of integration of the region. This is a need for technical and development cooperation to address the development divide and accelerate the economic integration of the less-developed members of ASEAN, namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam as well as regions in other ASEAN Member States. ASEAN expressed its appreciation to the Plus Three countries for their continued commitment and support of ASEAN integration and community building.
The Forum was opened by H.E. Soulivong Dalavong, Minister of Planning and Investment of Lao PDR and chaired by H.E. Bounkeut Sangsomsak, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR. Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr SOEUNG Rathchavy delivered a statement at the opening ceremony.
The East Asia Forum has functioned as a unique forum for extensive exchange of views on current issues of common interest and concern, and future direction of East Asia cooperation among representatives from the government, academic and business circle of ASEAN, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The Republic of Korea will host the 7th East Asia Forum in 2009.
Posted on 22 Oct 2008
To Know More about ASEAN through ASEAN Schools Tour
The ASEAN Schools Tour 2008 kicked off in Singapore today (20 October 2008). Around 450 students of Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC), Cedar Girls’ Secondary School, and Victoria School participated in this activity, which was hosted by ACJC.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, in his opening speech invited the students to learn more about ASEAN, to work together for the benefit of ASEAN in order to make ASEAN’s Founding Fathers’ dream a reality.
The ASEAN Schools Tour will travel to the other nine ASEAN Countries over the next two months.
Posted on 21 Oct 2008
ASEAN Information Ministers Sign MOU on Information and Media Cooperation
Nanning, 16 October 2008
The ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information and their China counterpart have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on information and media cooperation.
The signing ceremony was held at the Conference of China-ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information in Nanning, China, on 16 October 2008. At the meeting, the ASEAN and China Ministers proposed ways to enhance cooperation in the information sector. Prior to the meeting in Nanning, the ASEAN Ministers visited scenic Guilin.
Posted on 17 Oct 2008
Ten Cities in ASEAN Receive the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award
Ha Noi, 8 October 2008
The ASEAN Ministers responsible for environment presented this evening the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City (ESC) Award to ten cities/townships/districts in ASEAN that have made exemplary efforts towards environmental sustainability. The Ministers hoped that the Award, awarded for the first time, will motivate other cities to share best practices and to make even greater efforts to achieve high standards of environmental sustainability.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan in his message for the event stated that “each city that received the Award tells a compelling story of how it has placed environment and nature at the core of city planning, the challenges it faced, and its resolve to ensure the cities remain environmentally sustainable as it develops and modernizes.” He further added that apart from just recognizing their exemplary efforts, the richness of their experience in varied circumstances tells us that there are different models and paths to urbanization and environmental stewardship.
The Ministers supported the “Cool ASEAN, Green Capitals Initiative” proposed by the Secretary-General of ASEAN to encourage efforts by the ASEAN capital cities and other major cities to mitigate climate change through addressing the everyday urban issues faced such as waste management, transportation, creating more green areas and conservation of energy.
The ASEAN Ministers responsible for environment met on 8 October 2008 on the occasion of the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, and the 4th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. The ASEAN Ministers will also meet with their counterparts from the People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea at the 7th ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministers Meeting on 9 October 2008, and Australia, India and New Zealand at the Inaugural East Asia Summit Environment Ministers Meeting.
List of Cities that Received the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award 2008
Brunei Darussalam: Temburong District
Cambodia: Municipality of Phnom Penh
Indonesia: Palembang City
Lao PDR: Luang Prabang District
Malaysia: North Kuching City Hall
Myanmar: Taungyi City
Philippines: Puerto Princesa City
Singapore: South West Community Development Council
Thailand: Bangkok City
Viet Nam: Ha Long City
Largest Group of US Officials Visit the ASEAN Secretariat
8 October 2008
A group of 30 officials from U.S. Embassies in Southeast Asia were briefed by ASEAN Secretariat officers on ASEAN’s economic integration, community building efforts, the ASEAN Charter and ASEAN identity. This was the largest group of official visitors from the U.S. and from a Dialogue Partner country to the ASEAN Secretariat.
One US official noted that the visit was “very well received” by his colleagues from around the region.
Posted on 9 Oct 2008
ASEAN Support for Southeast Asian Writers Awards 2008
A compilation of short stories and poems from ASEAN has been published by the S.E.A. Write, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Southeast Asia Writers Awards or S.E.A. Write Awards. Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, sponsored this publication, entitled “The S.E.A. Write Anthology of ASEAN Short Stories & Poems”.
In his foreword, Dr Surin said, “the S.E.A. Write’s success goes beyond the literary dimension. I believe that its sustained efforts to promote greater exchange and understanding among Southeast Asians writers and the reading public over the last three decades have made a very important contribution to the cause of ASEAN regionalism. In its fifth decade, ASEAN wishes to promote a people-oriented region-building process, as evident in the ASEAN Charter. Creating synergy in the realm, I fervently hope that S.E.A Write can play a leading role in helping to strengthen a sense of regional identity and to bring about such a community”.
The theme for this year’s S.E.A. awards was “wisdom, vision and penmanship of Southeast Asians”. The ceremony was held on 30 September 2008 at the Oriental Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, and was presided by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Nine awards were given this year at the gala dinner. Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abd Rahman from Brunei Darussalam, Dr Sin Touch from Cambodia, Hamsad Rangkuti from Indonesia, Othong Kham-Insou from Lao PDR, Professor Hatta Azad Khan from Malaysia, Dr Elmer Alindogan Ordonez from Philippines, Stella Kon from Singapore, Watchara Sutjasarrasin from Thailand, and Nguyen Ngoc Tu from Vietnam were the recepients. Antony Beevor, the famous author and writer of such bestsellers as “The Spanish Civil War” and “Stalingrad”, was the guest speaker.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, a poetry and prose reading called Harmony in Diversity was held on 29 September in the idyllic setting of Suan Pakkad Palace.
The Southeast Asian Writers Awards honours leading poets and writers in the ASEAN region.
Posted on 7 Oct 2008
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