Database
on Basic Documents of Japan-ASEAN Relations
Department of
Advanced Social and International Studies,
Introduction
The Second ASEAN
Informal Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur on 15 December 1997, adopted the ASEAN
Vision 2020 which sets out a broad vision for ASEAN in the year 2020: an 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.
In order to
implement the long-term vision, action plans are being drawn up to realise this Vision. The Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA) is the
first in a series of plans of action building up to the realisation
of the goals of the Vision.
The HPA has a
six-year timeframe covering the period from 1999 to 2004. The progress of its
implementation shall be reviewed every three years to coincide with the ASEAN
Summit Meetings.
In recognition of
the need to address the current economic situation in the region, ASEAN shall implement initiatives to hasten economic recovery and
address the social impact of the global economic and financial crisis. These
measures reaffirm ASEAN commitments to closer regional integration and are
directed at consolidating and strengthening the economic fundamentals of the
Member Countries.
I. STRENGTHEN
MACROECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL COOPERATION
To restore
confidence, regenerate economic growth and promote regional financial stability
through maintaining sound macroeconomic and financial policies as well as
strengthening financial system and capital markets enhanced by closer
consultations, so as to avoid future disturbances.
1.1 Maintain
regional macroeconomic and financial stability.
1.1.1 Strengthen
the ASEAN Surveillance Process; and
1.1.2 Structure
orderly capital account liberalisation.
1.2 Strengthen
financial systems.
1.2.1 Adopt and
implement sound international financial practices and standards, where
appropriate by 2003;
1.2.2 Coordinate
supervision and efforts to strengthen financial systems;
1.2.3 Develop deep
and liquid financial markets to enable governments and private firms to raise
long-term financing in local currency, thereby reducing the over dependence on
bank finance and limiting the risks of financial crisis;
1.2.4 Adopt and
implement existing standards of disclosure and dissemination of economic and
financial information; and
1.2.5 Adopt
prudential measures to mitigate the effects of sudden shifts in short-term
capital flows.
1.3 Promote liberalisation of the financial services sector.
1.3.1 Intensify
deregulation of the financial services sector; and
1.3.2 Intensify
negotiations of financial sector liberalisation under
the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS).
1.4 Intensify
cooperation in money, tax and insurance matters.
1.4.1 Study the
feasibility of establishing an ASEAN currency and exchange rate system;
1.4.2 Establish an
ASEAN Tax Training Institute by 2003;
1.4.3 Enhance the
role of "ASEAN Re Corporation Limited" as a vehicle to further
promote regional cooperation in reinsurance business; and
1.4.4 Establish an
ASEAN Insurance Training and Research Institute by 2003.
1.5 Develop ASEAN
Capital Markets.
1.5.1 Adopt and
implement internationally accepted practices and standards by the year 2003,
and where appropriate at a later date especially for the new Member Countries;
1.5.2 Establish a
set of minimum standards for listing rules, procedures and requirements by
2003;
1.5.3 Coordinate
supervision of and programmes to strengthen capital
markets;
1.5.4 Improve
corporate governance, transparency and disclosure;
1.5.5 Develop a
mechanism for cross-listing of SMEs among ASEAN
capital markets by 2003, and where appropriate at a later date for the new
Member Countries;
1.5.6 Facilitate
cross-border capital flows and investments;
1.5.7 Facilitate
clearing and settlement systems within ASEAN;
1.5.8 Promote securitisation in ASEAN;
1.5.9 Foster
collaborative and cooperative networks among capital market research and
training centres in Member States;
1.5.10 Prepare the
framework to develop bond markets in ASEAN by 2000; and
1.5.11 Promote
networking among development banks in Member States for financing of productive
projects.
II. ENHANCE
GREATER ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
To create a
stable, prosperous and highly competitive ASEAN Economic Region in which there
is a free flow of goods, services and investments, a freer flow of capital,
equitable economic development and reduced poverty and socio-economic
disparities.
2.1 Accelerate the
implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
2.1.1 Trade liberalisation
Maximise the number of tariff lines whose CEPT tariff
rates shall be reduced to 0-5% by the year 2000 (2003 for
Maximise the number of tariff lines whose CEPT tariff
rates shall be reduced to 0% by the year 2003 (2006 for
Expand the
coverage of the CEPT Inclusion List by shortening the Temporary Exclusion List,
Sensitive List and General Exception List.
2.1.2 Customs harmonisation
Enhance trade
facilitation in customs by simplifying customs procedures, expanding the
Promote
transparency, consistency and uniformity in the classification of goods traded
within ASEAN and enhance trade facilitation through the provision of facilities
for obtaining pre-entry classification rulings/decisions at national and
regional levels by the year 2003;
Promote the use of
transparent, consistent and uniform valuation methods and rulings through the
implementation of the WTO Valuation Agreement by the year 2000;
Operationalise and strengthen regional guidelines on mutual
assistance by the year 2003 to ensure the proper application of customs laws,
within the competence of the customs administrations and subject to their
national laws;
Fully operationalise the ASEAN Customs Training Network by the
year 2000; and
Undertake customs
reform and modernisation, in particular to implement
risk management and post-importation audit by the year 2003.
2.1.3 Standards
and conformity assessment
Harmonise product standards through alignment with
international standards for products in priority sectors by the year 2000 and
for regulated products by the year 2005;
Implement the
ASEAN Framework Agreement on Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) by developing sectoral MRAs in priority areas beginning in 1999; and
Enhance the
technical infrastructure and competency in laboratory testing, calibration,
certification and accreditation by the year 2005, based on internationally-accepted
procedures and guides; and
Strengthen
information networking on standards and technical regulation through the use
of, among others, the Internet, with the aim of meeting the requirements of the
WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and WTO Agreement on the
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
2.1.4 Other trade
facilitation activities
Establish a
mechanism of information exchange and disclosure requirements to promote
transparency of government procurement regimes by the year 2003 to facilitate
participation of ASEAN nationals and companies;
Establish contact
points in 1999 to facilitate ongoing exchange of the above information;
Encourage the liberalisation of government procurement;
Establish a
mechanism of information exchange by 2003 to promote transparency of each
domestic regulatory regime by publishing annual reports detailing actions taken
by ASEAN Member States to deregulate their domestic regimes; and
Encourage the
increased use of regional currencies for intra-ASEAN trade transactions.
2.2 Implement the
Framework Agreement on ASEAN Investment Area (AIA).
The ASEAN
Investment Area aims to enhance the competitiveness of the region for
attracting higher and sustainable levels of direct investment flows into and
within ASEAN. Three broad-based programmes of action
shall form the thrust of the AIA arrangement. These are Cooperation and
Facilitation, Promotion and Awareness, and Liberalisation
Programme. These programmes
shall be implemented through individual and collective action plans, within the
agreed schedules and timetable. The ASEAN Investment Area is to be realised through implementing, among others, the following
key measures:
Immediately extend
national treatment and open up all industries for investments. However, for
some exceptions, as specified in the Temporary Exclusion List and the Sensitive
List, these will be progressively liberalised to all
ASEAN investors by 2010 or earlier and to all investors by 2020 in accordance
with the provisions of the Framework Agreement on AIA;
Identify and
progressively eliminate restrictive investment measures;
Liberalise rules, regulations and policies relating to
investment; rules on licensing conditions; rules relating to access to domestic
finance; and rules to facilitate payment, receipts and repatriation of profits
by investors;
Complete
implementation of all the measures and activities identified in the Schedule 1
of "Cooperation and Facilitation Programme"
under the AIA Agreement by 2010 or earlier;
Complete implementation
of all the measures and activities identified in the Schedule II of
"Promotion and Awareness Programme" under
the AIA Agreement by 2010 or earlier;
Improve and
enhance the measures and activities of the Cooperation and Facilitation, and
Promotion and Awareness Programmes to further
strengthen the implementation process of the AIA arrangement;
Undertake active
and high profile joint investment promotion activities to promote greater
awareness of investment opportunities in ASEAN to global and regional
investors. This shall include, among others, joint publications of investment
and business information as well as databases and statistics;
Promote freer flow
of capital, skilled labour, professionals and
technology among ASEAN Member States;
Work towards
establishing a comparable approach of FDI data collection, measurement and
reporting among the Member States;
Undertake
activities to increase transparency of investment regimes of Member States; and
Identify areas for
technical cooperation in human resource development, R&D, infrastructure
development, SME and supporting industry development, information and
industrial technology development.
2.3 Liberalise Trade in Services.
The ASEAN
Framework Agreement on Services will strengthen service suppliers and introduce
more competition into this large and important sector of ASEAN Member's States
and open new doors for service suppliers in the region.
2.3.1 Liberalisation
Progressively liberalise trade in services by initiating a new round of
negotiations beginning 1999 and ending 2001;
Expand the scope
of negotiations in services beyond the seven priority sectors, identified at
the Fifth ASEAN Summit, to cover all services sectors and all modes of supply;
Seek to accelerate
the liberalisation of trade in services through the
adoption of alternative approaches to liberalisation;
and
Accelerate the
free flow of professional and other services in the region.
2.3.2 Facilitation
Encourage the free
exchange of information and views among professional bodies in the region with
the view to achieving mutual recognition arrangements;
Conduct an impact
study by the year 2000 on the removal of transport, travel and
telecommunication barriers in ASEAN; and
Develop standard
classification and categorisation of tourism products
and services to facilitate the region's implementation of the General Agreement
on Trade in Services (GATS) and the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services
(AFAS).
2.3.3 Cooperation
Strengthen and
enhance existing cooperation efforts in service sectors through such means as
establishing or improving infrastructure facilities, joint production,
marketing and purchasing arrangements, research and development and exchange of
information;
Develop
cooperation activities in new sectors that are not covered by existing
cooperation arrangements; and
Cooperate to harmonise entry regulations with regard to commercial
presence.
2.4 Enhance food
security and global competitiveness of ASEAN's food, agriculture and forestry
products.
ASEAN would strive
to provide adequate levels of food supply and food accessibility within ASEAN
during instances of food shortages to ensure food security and at the same
time, enhance the competitiveness of its food, agriculture and forestry sectors
through developing appropriate technologies to increase
productivity and by promoting intra- and extra–ASEAN trade and greater private sector investment in the food,
agriculture and forestry sector.
2.4.1 Strengthen
food security arrangements in the region.
Enhance ASEAN food
security statistical database and information by establishing an ASEAN Food
Security Information System (AFSIS) which would allow Member States to
effectively forecast, plan and manage food supplies and utilisation
of basic commodities;
Develop a Common
Framework to analyse and review the regional food
trade policies in the light of the AFTA, and to enhance intra-ASEAN food trade
by undertaking a study on the long-term supply and demand prospects of major
food commodities (rice, corn, soybean, sugar, pulses and oilseeds) in ASEAN;
Strengthen the
food marketing system of agricultural cooperatives for enhancing food security
in ASEAN; and
Review the
Agreement on the ASEAN Emergency Rice Reserve (AERR) to realise
effective cross-supply arrangements of food during times of emergency.
2.4.2 Develop and
Adopt Existing and New Technologies.
Conduct
collaborative research to develop new/improved technologies in food,
agriculture and forestry production, post-harvest and processing activities and
sharing of research results and available technology;
Conduct R&D in
critical areas to reduce the cost of inputs for food, agriculture and forestry
production; and
Strengthen programmes in food, agriculture and agro-forestry
technology transfer, training and extension to increase productivity.
2.4.3 Enhance the
Marketability of ASEAN Food, Agriculture and Forestry Products/Commodities.
Develop, harmonise and adopt quality standards and regulations for
food, agriculture and forestry products;
Promote diversification
of forest products; and
Promote and
implement training programmes and share and exchange
expertise in the field of food, agriculture and forestry.
2.4.4 Enhance
Private Sector Involvement.
Conduct a study to
identify high-impact investment opportunities in key areas under the food,
agriculture and forestry sectors in ASEAN and to provide essential information
for investment decisions on these opportunities; and
Establish
networking and strategic alliances with the private sector to promote investment
and joint venture opportunities in ASEAN.
2.4.5 Enhance
ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in International and Regional Issues.
Strengthen ASEAN's
cooperation and joint approaches in addressing issues and problems affecting
trade in the region's food, agriculture and forestry products including
environment and labour issues; and
Seek closer
cooperation and negotiate, through relevant ASEAN bodies, with trading partners
on market access for ASEAN products
2.4.6 Promote
Promote and
implement training programmes in the field of food,
agriculture and forestry, including the exchange of experts; and
Develop and
strengthen agricultural rural communities through enhanced human resource
development.
2.5 Intensify
industrial cooperation.
Expedite the
implementation of AICO.
Establish a
Directory of Major ASEAN Manufacturing Companies;
Explore the merits
of common competition policy;
Increase
value-added contribution of ASEAN Manufacturing Sector;
Explore/develop
other areas of cooperation that has not been covered under the existing
arrangement; and
Establish R&D/
Skill Development Centres.
2.6 Foster small
and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Recognising that small and medium scale enterprises constitute
the majority of industrial enterprises in ASEAN and that they play a significant
role in the overall economic development of Member States, ASEAN needs to
cooperate in order to develop a modern, dynamic, competitive and efficient SME
sector. The SME cooperation will address priority areas of human resource
development, information dissemination, access to technology and technology
sharing, finance and market. The SME cooperation will also ensure the
development and implementation of non-discriminatory market-oriented policies
in ASEAN that will provide a more favourable
environment for SME development.
2.6.1 Facilitation
Encourage Member
States to establish national export financing/credit guarantee schemes for SMEs;
Explore the
possibility of establishing regional export financing/credit guarantee scheme;
Explore the
possibility of establishing an ASEAN Investment Fund for SME; and
Explore the
possibility of establishing a trade or industrial cooperation scheme to promote
intra-ASEAN cooperation for SMEs.
2.6.2 Cooperation
Compile Member
States' SME policies and best practices in selected sectors to enhance mutual
understanding and possible adoption;
Compile and
provide information to SMEs on policies and
opportunities including electronic media such as the Internet websites;
Promote
information networking between existing SME-related organisations
in ASEAN;
Promote awareness
among SMEs on benefits and availability of other
sources of finance such as venture-capital and equity;
Enhance interactions
between Government Sector Institutions (GSI) and Private Sector Institutions
(PSI) on SME development by convening biennial GSI/PSI conference;
Undertake selected
sectoral regional study on the potential areas of
finance, market, production technology and management for possible trade and
industrial cooperation between/among SMEs in the
region;
Organise annual ASEAN match-making workshops to
promote SME joint-ventures and linkages between SMEs
and LSEs;
Organise annual joint ASEAN trade promotion
activities/trade exposition;
Encourage national
venture-capital company to go regional;
Organise annual meetings of all national Credit
Guarantee Corporations (CGC) in ASEAN;
Harness the
capacity of non-ASEAN SMEs as a source of technology
to ASEAN SMEs;
Organise biennial ASEAN technology exposition;
Organise regular joint training programmes,
seminars and workshops for SMEs;
Compile and
publish a directory of resource persons in ASEAN in the area of production
technology and management;
Develop programmes on entrepreneurship development and innovation
in all Member States; and
Assist new members
of ASEAN on SME development through specialised
training programmes and technical assistance.
2.7 Further
intellectual property cooperation.
To ensure adequate
and effective protection, including legislation, administration and
enforcement, of intellectual property rights in the region based on the
principles of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment,
national treatment and transparency as set out in the TRIPS Agreement.
2.7.1 Protection
Strengthen civil
and administrative procedures and remedies against infringement of intellectual
property rights and relevant legislation; and
Provide and expand
technical cooperation in relation to areas such as patent search and
examination, computerisation and human resource
development for the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement;
2.7.2 Facilitation
Deepen
Intellectual Property policy exchange among ASEAN Member States;
Survey the current
status of intellectual property rights protection in each
Develop a contact
point list of public and business/private sector experts on intellectual
property rights and a list of law enforcement officers, the latter list for the
purpose of establishing a network to prevent cross-border flow of counterfeits;
Exchange
information on well-known marks as a first step in examining the possibility of
establishing a region-wide trademark system;
Exchange
information on current intellectual property rights administrative systems with
a view to simplifying and standardising
administrative systems throughout the region;
Ensure that intellectual
property legislation conform to the TRIPS Agreement of the World Trade Organisation through the review of intellectual property
laws and introduction of TRIPS-consistent laws. This would begin with a
comprehensive review of existing legislation to be completed by the year 2000;
and
Strengthen
intellectual property administration by setting up an ASEAN electronic database
by the year 2004 on patents, designs, geographical indications, trademarks and
information on copyright and layout design of integrated circuits.
2.7.3 Cooperation
Implement an ASEAN
Regional Trademark and Patent Filing System by the year 2000;
Establish an ASEAN
Regional Fund for Trademark and Patent by the year 2000;
Finalise and implement an ASEAN Common Form for Trade
Mark and Patent Applications;
Establish a
regional trademark and patent registration system; or establish a regional
trademark or patent office (on voluntary basis);
Promote accession
of Member States to international treaties;
Promote
Intellectual Property public and private sector awareness;
Introduce
Intellectual Property as a subject in the curriculum of higher learning
institutions;
Develop training programmes for Intellectual Property officials; and
Enhance
intellectual property enforcement and protection through establishing
mechanisms for the dissemination of information on ASEAN intellectual property
administration, registration and infringement; facilitating interaction among
legal and judicial bodies through seminars, etc.; facilitating networking among
intellectual enforcement agencies; encouraging bilateral/plurilateral
arrangements on mutual protection and joint cooperation in enforcement of
Intellectual Property Rights.
2.8 Encourage
electronic commerce.
2.8.1 Create
policy and legislative environment to facilitate cross-border Electronic
Commerce;
2.8.2 Ensure the
coordination and adoption of framework and standards for cross-border
Electronic Commerce, which is in line with international standards and
practices; and
2.8.3 Encourage
technical cooperation and technology transfer among Member States in the
development of Electronic Commerce infrastructure, applications and services.
2.9 Promote ASEAN
tourism.
2.9.1 Launch the
Visit ASEAN Millennium Year as the catalytic focus for the first plan of
action;
2.9.2 Conduct
Strategic Studies for Joint Marketing of the ASEAN Region in the 21st Century,
and the convening of Top-level Tourism Marketing Missions to promote the
region;
2.9.3 Develop a
Website/Information Database on relevant tourism statistical data and other
related information within the ASEAN Secretariat by the beginning of the year
2000;
2.9.4 Establish a
Network among ASEAN Tourism Training Centres with
emphasis on new job skills and new technologies by 2001 in tourism policy and
planning;
2.9.5 Develop
trainer and training material database for ASEAN to be completed by 2001;
2.9.6 Conduct
Eco-Tourism Promotion Programmes for Travel Trade and
Consumers;
2.9.7 Complete
cruise tourism development study in ASEAN by the year 2000.
2.9.8 Encourage
the establishment of the
2.9.9 Increase the
use of the Internet or other electronic global distribution systems in the
ASEAN travel industry; and
2.9.10 Launch the
ASEAN Tourism Investment Guide in 1999.
2.10 Develop
regional infrastructure.
To intensify
cooperation in the development of highly efficient and quality infrastructure,
and in the promotion and progressive liberalisation
of these services sectors:
2.10.1 Transport
Develop the
Trans-ASEAN transportation network by the year 2000 as the trunkline
or main corridor for the movement of goods and people in ASEAN, consisting of
major road (interstate highway) and railway networks, principal ports and sea
lanes for maritime traffic, inland waterway transport and major civil aviation
links;
Operationalise the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the
Facilitation of Goods in Transit by year 2000. For this purpose, its
implementing Protocols will be finalised and
concluded by December 1999;
Target the
conclusion and operationalisation of the ASEAN
Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport by the year
2000;
Implement the
ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport;
Develop a
Maritime/Shipping Policy for ASEAN to cover, among others, transhipment,
enhancing the competitiveness of ASEAN ports, further liberalisation
of maritime transport services, and the integration of maritime transport in
the intermodal and logistics chain;
Adopt harmonised standards and regulations with regard to vehicle
specifications (e.g. width, length, height and weight), axle load limits,
maximum weights and pollution or emission standards;
Institute the
policy framework and modalities by the year 2000 for the development of a
Competitive Air Services Policy which may be a gradual step towards an Open Sky
Policy in ASEAN; and
Develop and
implement the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link and the
ASEAN Highway Network Projects.
2.10.2
Telecommunications
Achieve the
interoperability and interconnectivity of the National Information
Infrastructures (NIIs) of Member States by the year
2010;
Develop and
implement an ASEAN Plan of Action on Regional Broadband Interconnectivity by
the year 2000; and
Intensify
cooperation in ensuring seamless roaming of telecommunications services (i.e.,
wireless communications) within the region, as well as in facilitating
intra-ASEAN trade in telecommunications equipment and services.
2.10.3 Energy
Ensure security
and sustainability of energy supply, efficient utilisation
of natural energy resource in the region and the rational management of energy
demand, with due consideration of the environment; and
Institute the
policy framework and implementation modalities by 2004 for the early
realization of the trans-ASEAN energy networks covering the ASEAN Power Grid
and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline Projects as a more focused continuation of the
Medium-Term Programme of Action (1995-1999).
2.10.4 Water
utility
Cooperate on a
regular basis, exchange of information, knowledge, and experiences among Member
States as means to improve water resources management and water supply system
within the region; and
Support the
development of Trans-ASEAN land and submarine pipeline for conveyance of raw
water between ASEAN Member States.
2.11 Further
development of growth areas.
To
narrow the gap in the level of development among Member States and to reduce
poverty and socio-economic disparities in the region.
2.11.1 Actively
expedite the implementation and further development of growth areas such as the
Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),
Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore Growth Triangle (IMS-GT),
Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), and the inter-state areas
along the West-East Corridor (WEC) of Mekong Basin in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
and North-eastern Thailand within the ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development
Cooperation Scheme.
2.11.2 Facilitate
the economic integration of the new Members into ASEAN.
III. PROMOTE
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
INFRASTRUCTURE
3.1 Establish the
ASEAN Information Infrastructure (AII).
3.1.1 Forge
agreements among Member Countries on the design, standardization,
inter-connection and inter-operability of Information Technology systems by
2001.
3.1.2 Ensure the
protection of intellectual property rights and consumer rights.
3.2 Develop the
information content of the AII by 2004.
3.3 Establish
networks of science & techonology centres of excellence and academic institutions by 2001.
3.4 Intensify
research & development (R&D) in applications of strategic and enabling
technologies.
3.5 Establish a
technology scan mechanism and institutionalise a
system of science & technology indicators by 2001.
3.6 Develop
innovative systems for programme management and
revenue generation to support ASEAN science and technology.
3.7 Promote
greater public and private sector collaboration in science and technology,
particularly in information technology.
3.8 Undertake
studies on the evolution of new working conditions and living environments
resulting from widespread use of information technology by 2001.
IV. PROMOTE SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT AND ADDRESS THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS
4.1 Strive to
mitigate the social impact of the regional financial and economic crisis.
4.2 Implement the
Plan of Action on ASEAN Rural Development and Poverty Eradication and, in view of the
financial and economic crisis, implement the ASEAN Plan of Action on Social
Safety Nets to ensure that measures are taken to protect the most vulnerable
sectors of our societies.
4.3 Use the ASEAN
Foundation to support activities and social development programmes
aimed at addressing issues of unequal economic development, poverty and
socio-economic disparities.
4.4 Implement the
ASEAN Plan of Action for Children which provides for the framework for ensuring
the survival, protection and development of children.
4.5 Strengthen
ASEAN collaboration in combating the trafficking in, and crimes of violence against,
women and children.
4.6 Enhance the
capacity of the family and community to care for the elderly and the disabled.
4.7 Strengthen the
ASEAN Regional Aids Information and Reference Network.
4.8 Enhance
exchange of information in the field of human rights among ASEAN Countries in
order to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms of all
peoples in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme
of Action.
4.9 Work towards
the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and
other international instruments concerning women and children.
4.10 Strengthen
regional capacity to address transnational crime.
4.11 Implement the
ASEAN Work Programme to Operationalise
the ASEAN Plan of Action on Drug Abuse Control by 2004, and continue developing
and implementing high-profile flagship programmes on drug
abuse control, particularly those related to prevention education for youth,
and treatment and rehabilitation.
V. PROMOTE HUMAN
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
5.1 Strengthen the
ASEAN University Network and move forward the process of transforming it into the
5.2 Strengthen the
education systems in Member Countries by 2001 so that all groups of people,
including the disadvantaged, can have equal access to basic, general and higher
education.
5.3 Implement the
ASEAN Work Programme on Informal Sector Development
to provide opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
5.4 Implement the
ASEAN Work Programme on Skills Training for
Out-of-School Youth by 2004, to strengthen their capacity to obtain gainful
employment.
5.5 Strengthen
regional networking of HRD centres of excellence and
develop the regional capacity for HRD planning and labour
market monitoring.
5.6 Establish and
strengthen networks in education and training, particularly those promoting
occupational safety and health, skills training for out-of-school youth,
distance education by 2004.
5.7 Intensify
efforts of the ASEAN Network for Women in Skills Training to enhance the
capacity of disadvantaged women to enter the work force.
5.8 Begin to
implement the ASEAN Science and Technology Human Resource Programme
addressing the needs of industry and business by 2000.
5.9 Implement
regional training programmes for ASEAN Civil Service
Officers and strengthen networks among ASEAN Civil Service Commissions.
5.10 Establish networks
of professional accreditation bodies to promote regional mobility and mutual
recognition of technical and professional credentials and skills standards,
beginning in 1999.
VI. PROTECT THE
ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
6.1 Fully implement
the ASEAN Cooperation Plan on Transboundary Pollution
with particular emphasis on the Regional Haze Action Plan by the year 2001.
6.2 Strengthen the
ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre with emphasis on the ability to monitor
forest and land fires and provide early warning on transboundary
haze by the year 2001.
6.3 Establish the
ASEAN Regional Research and Training Centre for Land and Forest Fire Management
by the year 2004.
6.4 Strengthen the
ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation by establishing networks of
relevant institutions and implement collaborative training and research
activities by the year 2001.
6.5 Promote
regional coordination for the protection of the
6.6 Develop a
framework and improve regional coordination for the integrated protection and
management of coastal zones by the year 2001.
6.7 Strengthen
institutional and legal capacities to implement Agenda 21 and other
international environmental agreements by the year 2001.
6.8 Harmonise the environmental databases of Member Countries
by the year 2001.
6.9 Implement an
ASEAN regional water conservation programme by the
year 2001.
6.10 Establish a
regional centre or network for the promotion of environmentally sound technologies
by the year 2004.
6.11 Formulate and
adopt an ASEAN Protocol on access to genetic resources by the year 2004.
6.12 Develop a
Regional Action Plan for the Protection of the Marine Environment from
Land-based and Sea-based Activities by the year 2004.
6.13 Implement the
Framework to Achieve Long-Term Environmental Goals for Ambient Air and River
Water Qualities for ASEAN Countries.
6.14 Enhance
regional efforts in addressing climatic change.
6.15 Enhance
public information and education in awareness of and participation in
environmental and sustainable development issues.
VII. STRENGTHEN
REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY
7.1 Consolidate
and strengthen ASEAN’s solidarity, cohesiveness and harmony by
strengthening national and regional resilience through enhanced cooperation and
mutual assistance to further promote
7.2. Promote
coherent and comprehensive programmes of bilateral
and regional cooperation and technical assistance to ASEAN member states to
strengthen their integration into the community of Southeast Asian nations.
7.3 Ratify the
Second Protocol of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC)
as soon as possible.
7.4 Encourage and
facilitate the accession by ASEAN’s Dialogue
Partners and other interested countries to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
with a view to developing the TAC into a code of conduct governing relations
between Southeast Asian States and those outside the region.
7.5 Formulate
draft rules of procedure for the operations of the High Council as envisioned
in TAC.
7.6 Encourage
greater efforts towards the resolution of outstanding problems of boundaries
delimitation between ASEAN member states.
7.7 Ensure border
security and facilitate safe and convenient border crossings.
7.8 Encourage
Member Countries to cooperate in resolving border-related problems and other
matters with security implications between ASEAN member countries.
7.9 Promote
efforts to secure acceptance by Nuclear Weapon States of the Treaty on
Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), including their early
accession to the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty.
7.10 Convene the
Commission for SEANWFZ Treaty to oversee the implementation of the Treaty and
ensure compliance with its provisions.
7.11 Support and
participate actively in all efforts to achieve the objectives of general and
complete disarmament, especially the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and
other weapons of mass destruction.
7.12 Encourage
ASEAN Member Countries parties to a dispute to engage in friendly negotiation
and use the bilateral and regional processes of peaceful settlement of dispute or
other procedures provided for in the U.N. Charter.
7.13 Enhance
efforts to settle disputes in the
7.14 Continue
efforts to promote confidence-building measures in the
7.15 Encourage all
other parties concerned to subscribe to the ASEAN Declaration on the
7.16 Promote
efforts to establish a regional code of conduct in the
7.17 Intensify
intra-ASEAN security cooperation through existing mechanisms among foreign
affairs and defense officials.
VIII. ENHANCE
ASEAN’S ROLE AS AN EFFECTIVE FORCE FOR PEACE,
JUSTICE, AND
MODERATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC AND IN THE WORLD
8.1 Maintain ASEAN’s chairmanship in the ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF) process.
8.2 Undertake,
actively and energetically, measures to strengthen ASEAN’s role as the primary driving force in the
ARF, including directing the ASEAN Secretary-General to provide the necessary
support and services to the ASC Chairman in coordinating ARF activities.
8.3 Formulate
initiatives to advance, on a consensus basis and at a pace comfortable to all,
the ARF process from its current emphasis on confidence-building to promoting
preventive diplomacy.
8.4 Promote public
awareness of the ARF process and the need for ASEAN’s role as the primary driving force in respective ASEAN Member
Countries.
8.5 Continue the
involvement of ASEAN defense and security officials together with foreign
affairs officials in ARF activities.
8.6 Develop a set
of basic principles based on TAC as an instrument for promoting cooperative
peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
8.7 Enhance
consultation and coordination of ASEAN positions at the United Nations and
other international fora.
8.8 Revitalize
ASEAN’s relations with Dialogue Partners on the
basis of equality, non-discrimination and mutual benefit.
IX. PROMOTE ASEAN
AWARENESS AND ITS STANDING IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
9.1 Support the
activities of the ASEAN Foundation and other available resources and mechanisms
to promote ASEAN awareness among its people.
9.2 Launch, within
ASEAN’s existing resources, a concerted
communications programme to promote ASEAN’s standing in the international community and strengthen confidence in ASEAN as an ideal place for
investment, trade and tourism.
9.3 Establish and
operate an ASEAN satellite channel by year 2000.
9.4 Provide and
disseminate materials on ASEAN’s efforts to cope
with the financial and economic crisis.
9.5 Publicise ASEAN’s HPA priorities
through ASEAN’s external mechanisms with its Dialogue
Partners.
9.6 Develop
linkages with mass media networks and websites on key areas of ASEAN
cooperation to disseminate regular and timely information on ASEAN.
9.7 Prepare and
adopt an ASEAN Declaration on Cultural Heritage by year 2000.
9.8 Mount
professional productions of ASEAN performances and exhibitions within and
outside ASEAN and provide adequate mass media coverage on such activities.
9.9 Organize art
and cultural immersion camps and exchange programmes
for the youth and encourage their travel to other ASEAN Member Countries.
9.10 Establish an
ASEAN Multi-Media Centre by the year 2001 to conduct professional training programmes and provide production facilities and services
for mass media and communication practitioners.
X. IMPROVE ASEAN’S STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS
10.1 Review ASEAN’s overall organisational
structure in order to further improve its efficiency and effectiveness, taking
into account the expansion of ASEAN activities, the enlargement of ASEAN
membership, and the regional situation.
10.2 Review and
streamline ASEAN external relations mechanisms with its Dialogue Partners,
regional organisations and other economic groupings.
10.3 Review the
role, functions and capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat to meet the increasing
demands of ASEAN and to support the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action.