ASEAN EXTERNAL RELATIONS: THE 34TH ASEAN SUMMIT BANGKOK, 23 JUNE 2019

We noted with satisfaction the strengthening of relations with our Dialogue Partners, Sectoral Dialogue Partners and Development Partners through existing frameworks, Plans of Action (POAs) and development cooperation programmes. We acknowledge with appreciation the contribution of these partnerships to ASEAN Community-building efforts. We looked forward to the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Dialogue Relations in November in Busan, Republic of Korea this year to further strengthen the partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea.

We took note of the growing interests from countries and regional organisations outside of the region to engage and develop stronger cooperation with ASEAN including through the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN with the 91 Ambassadors of non-ASEAN Member States accredited to ASEAN (NAAAs). We noted that ASEAN’s partnerships with external partners as well as international and regional organisations are vital to address global issues and to promote sustainable development for the benefit of our people. We also welcomed the role of the ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organisations to promote ASEAN’s interest and forge partnerships in the respective host countries and international organisations. We also welcomed the presence of two ASEAN Member States, Indonesia and Viet Nam, as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and looked forward to the further strengthening of the ASEAN-UN comprehensive partnership and cooperation.

We underscored the important role of the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation framework, in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in East Asian region.We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening and deepening the APT process which plays a key role in regional community building efforts with ASEAN as the driving force. We agreed to further strengthen APT cooperation by implementing the APT Cooperation Work Plan 2018-2022. We also look forward to the continued implementation of the East Asia Vision Group II recommendations aimed at promoting cooperation in East Asia.


We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the EAS as a Leaders-led forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region, in line with the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the EAS and based on the established objectives, principles and modalities of the EAS. We agreed to further strengthen the EAS by implementing the Manila Plan of Action to Advance the Phnom Penh Declaration on the EAS Development Initiative (2018-2022). We welcomed the continued discussions and efforts to strengthen the EAS. We encouraged creating synergy between the EAS and other ASEAN-led mechanisms, and noted the need to strengthen EAS cooperation in response to emerging issues and challenges that affect peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

We reaffirmed the important role of the ARF as a prime platform for cooperation and constructive dialogue on political and security issues of common concern in the AsiaPacific region. We noted the continuation of practical activities under the ARF areas of cooperation towards the full implementation of the 2010 ARF Hanoi Plan of Action to Implement the ARF Vision Statement.