SOUTHEAST ASIAN leaders pledged to work towards implementing a common platform on global issues by 2022, noting the need to raise the region’s profile and role on the world stage.
The Bali Concord III -- signed on Thursday by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) heads of state -- contained commitments aimed at strengthening the regional bloc, which has often been criticized for its insistence
on consensus-based decisions and non-interference in the internal affairs of its ten members.
"[W]e will identify key global issues of common interest and concern, enhance ASEAN coordination and cooperation ... in relevant multilateral fora and international organization...," the declaration states.
"We will undertake an assessment of key long-term trands, including the evolution of the global architecture, and develop appropriate adjustment and response strategies to such trends."
Ministers were tasked to implement the 2022 common voice goal with the ASEAN Coordination Council, which was tasked to make reports to succeeding summits.
The bloc’s leaders also pledged increased political-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation. No mention was made of South China sea tensions involving claims by some ASEAN nations and China.
While the Philippines failed to secure approval of its Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation proposal for the area, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said the country would insist that elements of the scheme be included in a code of conduct that has long been in the works.
Established in 1987, ASEAN is comprised of Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Indonesia currently holds the chairmanship, which will go to Cambodia next year, Brunei in 2013, Myanmar in 2014 and Malaysia in 2015.
on consensus-based decisions and non-interference in the internal affairs of its ten members.
"[W]e will identify key global issues of common interest and concern, enhance ASEAN coordination and cooperation ... in relevant multilateral fora and international organization...," the declaration states.
"We will undertake an assessment of key long-term trands, including the evolution of the global architecture, and develop appropriate adjustment and response strategies to such trends."
Ministers were tasked to implement the 2022 common voice goal with the ASEAN Coordination Council, which was tasked to make reports to succeeding summits.
The bloc’s leaders also pledged increased political-security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation. No mention was made of South China sea tensions involving claims by some ASEAN nations and China.
While the Philippines failed to secure approval of its Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation proposal for the area, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said the country would insist that elements of the scheme be included in a code of conduct that has long been in the works.
Established in 1987, ASEAN is comprised of Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Indonesia currently holds the chairmanship, which will go to Cambodia next year, Brunei in 2013, Myanmar in 2014 and Malaysia in 2015.
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