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Association of Southeast Asian  Nations

Roadmap for an ASEAN Community

     2009-2015   

One Vision, One Identity, One Community

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Roadmap for

an ASEAN Community 2009-2015

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967. The Member States  of the Association are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

For inquiries, contact: Public Affairs Office The ASEAN Secretariat

70A Jalan Sisingamangaraja Jakarta 12110

Indonesia

Phone               : (62 21) 724-3372, 726-2991

Fax               : (62 21) 739-8234, 724-3504

E-mail               : public@asean.org

General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org

Catalogue-in-Publication Data

Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015 Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat, April 2009

352.1159

1. ASEAN – Summit – Blueprints
2. Political-Security – Economic – Socio-Cultural ISBN 978-602-8411-04-2

The text of this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted with proper acknowledgement. Copyright ASEAN Secretariat 2009

All rights reserved

Table of Contents

Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration on the Roadmap for the ASEAN Community (2009-2015)......... 01

ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint......... 05

ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint......... 21

ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint......... 67

Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan 2 (2009-2015)......... 95

Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration on the Roadmap for the ASEAN Community (2009-2015)

WE, the Heads of State or Government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (hereinafter referred        to as “ASEAN”), namely Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on the occasion of the 14th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am, Thailand;

RECALLING the spirit in which the ASEAN Founding Fathers gathered in Bangkok in 1967 to create an organisation that would help bring about a Southeast Asian region of peace, freedom and prosperity for their peoples;

RECALLING ALSO the ASEAN Vision 2020, which charts a future direction for ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward-looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in a just, democratic, and harmonious environment, dynamic development and ever-closer economic integration and in    a community of caring societies, conscious of its ties of history, aware of its shared cultural heritage and bound by a common regional identity;

RECOGNISING the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II), which seeks to bring the ASEAN Vision 2020 into reality by setting the goal of building an ASEAN Community by 2020 comprising three pillars, namely political-security community, economic community and socio-cultural community, all of which are closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing for the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability and shared prosperity   in the region;

INSPIRED by the spirit of a new ASEAN, as symbolised by the ASEAN Charter, we reaffirm our commitment    to accelerating the establishment of the ASEAN Community, comprising the aforementioned three pillars, by 5 years to 2015, as agreed in Cebu, the Philippines in 2007;

EMPHASISING that narrowing the development gap shall remain an important task to ensure the benefits of ASEAN integration are fully realized through effective implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN lntegration (IAl) and other sub-regional frameworks;

NOTING with satisfaction the progress made so far under the series of action plans or programmes adopted to guide progress towards the realisation of the ASEAN Vision 2020, for example, the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA), the Initiative for ASEAN lntegration (IAl) and the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP);

COGNISANT that the rapidly changing globalised world continues to present both opportunities and challenges to which ASEAN must proactively utilize and respond, keeping itself always relevant, while maintaining ASEAN’s centrality and role as the primary driving force in charting the evolving regional architecture;  and

RECALLING the signing of the Declaration on the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint and the adoption of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint at the 13th ASEAN Summit on 20 November 2007 in Singapore and the adoption of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint, and the Second IAl Work Plan at the 14th ASEAN Summit on 1 March 2009 in Thailand.

DO HEREBY:

1. AGREE that the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint and the IAl Work Plan 2 (2009-2015), as annexed, shall constitute the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015), and each ASEAN Member State shall ensure its timely implementation;

1. ALSO AGREE that the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) shall replace the Vientiane Action Programme;

1. TASK the concerned ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies and the Secretary-General of ASEAN to implement this Declaration as well as monitor commitments supported by the Committee of Permanent Representatives, and report to us regularly through the respective ASEAN Community Councils on the progress of its implementation;

1. ALSO TASK concerned Ministers and the Secretary-General of ASEAN to mobilise resources from Member States, Dialogue and Sectoral Partners, Development Partners of ASEAN as well as from other external parties to implement this Declaration; and

1. PLEDGE our resolve and commitment to promote ASEAN peoples to participate in and benefit fully from the process of ASEAN integration and community  building.

DONE at Cha-am, Thailand, this First Day of March in the Year Two Thousand and Nine, in a single original copy, in the English Language.

For Brunei Darussalam:

HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam

For the Kingdom of Cambodia:

SAMDECH HUN SEN

Prime Minister

For the Republic of Indonesia:

DR. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO

President

For the Lao People’s Democratic Republic:

BOUASONE BOUPHAVANH

Prime Minister

For Malaysia:

DATO’ SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI

Prime Minister

For the Union of Myanmar:

GENERAL THEIN SEIN

Prime Minister

For the Republic of the Philippines:

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President

For the Republic of Singapore:

LEE HSIEN LOONG

Prime Minister

For the Kingdom of Thailand:

ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA

Prime Minister

For the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam:

NGUYEN TAN DUNG

Prime Minister

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ASEAN Political-Security Community  Blueprint

ASEAN  Political-Security  Community Blueprint

1. INTRODUCTION

1. The ASEAN Political-Security Community has its genesis of over four decades of close co-operation  and solidarity. The ASEAN Heads of States/Governments, at their Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December 1997 envisioned 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.

1. To concretise the ASEAN Vision 2020, the ASEAN Heads of States/Governments adopted the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II) in 2003, which establishes an ASEAN Community by 2020. The ASEAN Community consists of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

1. Conscious that the strengthening of ASEAN integration through accelerated establishment of an ASEAN Community will reinforce ASEAN’s centrality and role as the driving force in charting the evolving regional architecture, the ASEAN Leaders at the 12th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines decided to accelerate the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015.

1. At the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore, the ASEAN Heads of States/Governments signed the ASEAN Charter, which marked ASEAN Member States’ commitment in intensifying community-building through enhanced regional cooperation and integration. In line with this, they tasked their Ministers and officials to draft the APSC Blueprint, which would be adopted at the 14th ASEAN  Summit.

1. The APSC Blueprint is guided by the ASEAN Charter and the principles and purposes contained therein. The APSC Blueprint builds on the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action, the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP), as well as relevant decisions by various ASEAN Sectoral Bodies. The ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action is a principled document, laying out the activities needed to realise the objectives of the ASEAN Political Security Community, while the VAP lays out the measures necessary for 2004-2010. Both documents are important references in continuing political and security cooperation. The APSC Blueprint provides a roadmap and timetable to establish the APSC by 2015. The APSC Blueprint would also have the flexibility to continue programmes/activities beyond 2015 in order to retain its significance and have an enduring quality.

1. CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS OF THE APSC

1. It is envisaged that the APSC will bring ASEAN’s political and security cooperation to a higher plane. The APSC will ensure that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with one another and with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious  environment.

1. The APSC shall promote political development in adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for and promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental

freedoms as inscribed in the ASEAN Charter. It shall be a means by which ASEAN Member States can pursue closer interaction and cooperation to forge shared norms and create common mechanisms to achieve ASEAN’s goals and objectives in the political and security fields. In this regard, it promotes a people-oriented ASEAN in which all sectors of society, regardless of gender, race, religion, language,    or social and cultural background, are encouraged to participate in, and benefit from, the process of ASEAN integration and community building. In the implementation of, the Blueprint, ASEAN should also strive towards promoting and supporting gender-mainstreaming, tolerance, respect for diversity, equality and mutual understanding.

1. At the same time, in the interest of preserving and enhancing peace and stability in the region, the APSC seeks to strengthen the mutually beneficial relations between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners and friends. In doing so, it also maintains the centrality and proactive role of ASEAN in a regional architecture that is open, transparent and inclusive, while remaining actively engaged, forward-looking and non- discriminatory.

1. The APSC subscribes to a comprehensive approach to security, which acknowledges the interwoven relationships of political, economic, social-cultural and environmental dimensions of development. It promotes renunciation of aggression and of the threat or use of force or other actions in any manner inconsistent with international law and reliance of peaceful settlements of dispute. In this regard, it upholds existing ASEAN political instruments such as the Declaration on Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN), the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in South East Asia (TAC) and the Treaty on the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), which play a pivotal role in the area of confidence building measures, preventive diplomacy and pacific approaches to conflict resolution. It  also seeks to address non-traditional security issues.

1. Based on the above, the ASEAN Political-Security Community envisages the following three key characteristics:

a)         A Rules-based Community of shared values and norms;

b)         A Cohesive, Peaceful, Stable and Resilient Region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security; and

c)         A Dynamic and Outward-looking Region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent  world.

1. These characteristics are inter-related and mutually reinforcing, and shall be pursued in a balanced and consistent manner. To effectively realise the APSC, the APSC Blueprint is an action-oriented document with a view to achieving results and recognises the capacity and capability of ASEAN Member States to undertake the stipulated actions in the  Blueprint.

1. A RULES-BASED COMMUNITY OF SHARED VALUES AND NORMS

1. ASEAN’s cooperation in political development aims to strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and the rule of law, and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, with due regard to the rights and responsibilities of the Member States of ASEAN, so as to ultimately create a Rules- based Community of shared values and norms. In the shaping and sharing of norms, ASEAN aims to achieve a standard of common adherence to norms of good conduct among member states of the ASEAN Community; consolidating and strengthening ASEAN’s solidarity, cohesiveness and harmony; and contributing to the building of a peaceful, democratic, tolerant, participatory and transparent community in Southeast Asia.

1. Moreover, cooperation in political development will bring to maturity the political elements and institutions in ASEAN, towards which the sense of inter-state solidarity on political systems, culture and history will be better fostered. Such inter-state solidarity can be achieved further through the shaping and sharing of norms.

A.1.          COOPERATION IN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Since the adoption of the ASC Plan of Action in 2003, ASEAN has achieved progress in different measures of political development. There was increased participation by organisations, such as academic institutions, think-tanks, and civil society organisations in ASEAN meetings and activities. Such consultations and heightened interactions fostered good relations and resulted in positive outcomes for the region.

1. Efforts are underway in laying the groundwork for an institutional framework to facilitate free flow of information based on each country’s national laws and regulations; preventing and combating corruption; and cooperation to strengthen the rule of law, judiciary systems and legal infrastructure, and good governance. Moreover, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, the ASEAN Charter stipulates the establishment of an ASEAN human rights body.

A.1.1.  Promote understanding and appreciation of political systems, culture and history of ASEAN Member States

Actions

1. Assign appropriate ASEAN sectoral bodies to take necessary measures to promote understanding and appreciation of political systems, culture and history of ASEAN Member States, which will undertake to:

1. Encourage the holding of at least two track-two events per year, including academic conferences, workshops and seminars;
2. Release periodic publications on the dynamics of ASEAN Member States’ political systems, culture and history for dissemination to the public;  and
3. Intensify exchange of experience and training courses in order to enhance popular and broader participation.

1. Hold seminars/workshops to share experiences on democratic institutions, gender mainstreaming, and popular participation; and
2. Endeavour to compile best practices of voluntary electoral  observations.

A.1.2.  Lay the groundwork for an institutional framework to facilitate free flow of information for mutual support and assistance among ASEAN Member States

Actions

1. Encourage the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) to develop an institutional framework to facilitate free flow of information, based on each country’s national laws, by establishing an information baseline of these laws and to submit a progress report to the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council;
2. Request each ASEAN Member State to develop relevant media exchange programmes to aid free flow of information, starting within three months from the adoption of this   Blueprint;

1. Enhance media capacity to promote regional-community building, explore the possibility of establishing an ASEAN media panel to boost cooperation and collaboration among the media- related institutions and organizations with emphasis on the process of the implementation of the APSC Blueprint;
2. Implement internships, fellowships, scholarships and workshops, study visits and journalist exchange programs to enhance media capacity and professionalism in the region with emphasis on the process of the implementation of the APSC Blueprint;  and
3. Facilitate co-production and exchanges of films, TVs, animations, games and new media content    to promote cultural exchanges with emphasis on the process of the implementation of the APSC Blueprint.

A.1.3. Establish programmes for mutual support and assistance among ASEAN Member States in the development of strategies for strengthening the rule of law and judiciary systems and legal infrastructure

Actions

1. Entrust ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting (ALAWMM), with the cooperation of other sectoral bodies and entities associated with ASEAN including ASEAN Law Association (ALA) to develop cooperation programmes to strengthen the rule of law, judicial systems and legal  infrastructure;
2. Undertake comparative studies for lawmakers on the promulgation of laws and  regulations;
3. Develop a university curriculum on the legal systems of ASEAN Member States by the ASEAN University Network (AUN) by 2010; and
4. Enhance cooperation between ALAWMM and ALA and other Track II organisations through seminars, workshops and research on international law, including ASEAN agreements.

A.1.4.  Promote good governance

1. Conduct analytical and technical studies to establish baselines, benchmarks, and best practices in various aspects of governance in the region;
2. Promote sharing of experiences and best practices through workshops and seminars on leadership concepts and principles with emphasis on good governance, and on developing norms on good governance;
3. Conduct a study by 2009 on partnership between public and private sectors and academia in creating a conducive climate for good governance to provide concrete recommendations to appropriate ASEAN sectoral bodies; and
4. Promote dialogue and partnership among governments, private sectors and other relevant organisations to foster and enable new ideas, concepts and methods with a view to enhance transparency, accountability, participatory and effective  governance.

A.1.5. Promotion and Protection of human rights

Actions

1. Establish an ASEAN human rights body through the completion of its Terms of Reference (ToR) by 2009 and encourage cooperation between it and existing human rights mechanisms, as well as with other relevant international organizations;
2. Complete a stock-take of existing human rights mechanisms and equivalent bodies, including sectoral bodies promoting the rights of women and children by  2009;
3. Cooperate closely with efforts of the sectoral bodies in the development of an ASEAN instrument on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant   workers;

1. Strengthen interaction between the network of existing human rights mechanisms as well as other civil society organisations, with relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies;
2. Enhance/conduct exchange of information in the field of human rights among ASEAN countries in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples in accordance  with the ASEAN Charter and the Charter of the United Nations, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action;
3. Promote education and public awareness on human rights;  and
4. Cooperate closely with efforts of the sectoral bodies in the establishment of an ASEAN commission on the promotion and protection of the rights of women and   children.

A.1.6. Increase the participation of relevant entities associated with ASEAN in moving forward ASEAN political development initiatives

Actions

1. Develop modalities for interaction between relevant entities associated with ASEAN, such as the ASEAN-ISIS network, and ASEAN sectoral bodies;
2. Promote research studies and scholarly publications on ASEAN political development  initiatives;
3. Hold consultations between AIPA and appropriate ASEAN organs; and
4. Revise the Memorandum of Understanding of the ASEAN Foundation to take into account the provisions of the ASEAN Charter.

A.1.7.  Prevent and combat corruption

Actions

1. Identify relevant mechanisms to carry out cooperation activities in preventing and combating corruption and strengthen links and cooperation between the relevant  agencies;
2. Encourage all ASEAN Member States to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation for Preventing and Combating Corruption signed on 15 December  2004;
3. Promote ASEAN cooperation to prevent and combat corruption, bearing in mind the above MoU, and other relevant ASEAN instruments such as the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (MLAT);
4. Encourage ASEAN Member States who are signatories to the United Nations Convention against Corruption to ratify the said Convention;  and
5. Promote the sharing of best practices, exchange views and analyse issues related to values, ethics and integrity through appropriate avenues and fora and taking into account inputs from various seminars such as the ASEAN Integrity Dialogue.

A.1.8. Promote Principles of Democracy

Actions

1. Promote understanding of the principles of democracy among ASEAN youth at schools at an appropriate stage of education, bearing in mind the educational system in the respective ASEAN Member States;
2. Convene seminars, training programmes and other capacity building activities for government officials, think-tanks and relevant civil society organizations to exchange views, sharing experiences and promote democracy and democratic institutions;  and
3. Conduct annual research on experiences and lessons-learned of democracy aimed at enhancing the adherence to the principles of democracy.

A.1.9.Promote peace and stability in the region

Actions

1. Support the inclusion of culture of peace which includes, inter alia, respect for diversity, promotion  of tolerance and understanding of faiths, religions and cultures in the curriculum of ASEAN academic institutions;
2. Develop programmes and activities aimed at the promotion of culture of peace, interfaith and intrafaith dialogue within the region;
3. Promote respect and appreciation for the region’s diversity and harmony among the peoples of the region;
4. Promote dialogue and greater interaction among various religious and ethnic  groups;
5. Promote networking among schools in the region to develop peace-education in their respective curricula; and
6. Support poverty alleviation and narrowing development gaps to contribute to promoting sustained peace and stability in the region.

A.2.          SHAPING AND SHARING OF NORMS

1. ASEAN promotes regional norms of good conduct and solidarity, in accordance with the key principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. In this context, ASEAN also continues to uphold the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the SEANWFZ Treaty and other key agreements, as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea.

A.2.1.  Adjust ASEAN institutional framework to comply with the ASEAN Charter

Actions

1. Prepare and implement a transitional work plan on the necessary institutional reforms needed to comply with the ASEAN Charter;
2. Develop, as appropriate, supplemental protocols and/or agreements, including terms of references and rules of procedures, needed to implement the ASEAN Charter; and
3. Develop a legal division to support the implementation of the ASEAN Charter.

A.2.2.  Strengthening Cooperation under the TAC

Actions

1. Convene workshops and seminars to assess the progress of the implementation of the TAC and explore ways to improve its mechanisms;
2. Convene a conference of High Contracting Parties to the TAC to review its implementation;  and
3. Encourage the accession to the TAC by non-ASEAN countries.

A.2.3. Ensure full implementation of the DOC for peace and stability in the South China Sea

Actions

1. Continue ASEAN’s current practice of close consultation among Member States to achieve full implementation of the DOC;
2. Explore and undertake cooperative activities identified in the DOC and eventually explore other co- operative measures on the basis of close consultation among the member countries, while respecting sovereignty and integrity of each other;

1. Carry out on a regular basis the overview of the process of implementation of the DOC, thus ensuring timely and proper conducts of the Parties in the South China Sea in accordance with the DOC;  and
2. Work towards the adoption of a regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea  (COC).

A.2.4.  Ensure the implementation of South East Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, and its Plan of Action

Actions

1. Comply with the undertakings in the SEANFWZ Treaty, including accession to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards agreements and related instruments;
2. Encourage Accession to the Protocol of the SEANWFZ Treaty by Nuclear Weapon States; and
3. Cooperate to implement the Plan of Action and draw up specific work programmes/projects to implement the Plan of Action.

A.2.5. Promote ASEAN Maritime Cooperation

Actions

1. Establish the ASEAN Maritime Forum;
2. Apply a comprehensive approach that focuses on safety of navigation and security concern in the region that are of common concerns to the ASEAN  Community;
3. Stock take maritime issues and identify maritime cooperation among ASEAN member countries;  and
4. Promote cooperation in maritime safety and search and rescue (SAR) through activities such as information sharing, technological cooperation and exchange of visits of authorities   concerned.

1. A COHESIVE, PEACEFUL AND RESILIENT REGION WITH SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY

1. In building a cohesive, peaceful and resilient Political Security Community, ASEAN subscribes to the principle of comprehensive security, which goes beyond the requirements of traditional security but also takes into account non-traditional aspects vital to regional and national resilience, such as the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions of development. ASEAN is also committed to conflict prevention/confidence building measures, preventive diplomacy, and post-conflict peace   building.

B.1.          CONFLICT PREVENTION/CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES

1. Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy are important instruments in conflict prevention. They mitigate tensions and prevent disputes from arising between or among ASEAN Member States, as well as between ASEAN Member States and non-ASEAN member countries. They will also help prevent the escalation of existing disputes.

1. In the area of defence and regional political consultations, ASEAN Defence Officials have been involved in the ASEAN security dialogue since 1996. Under the framework of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN has made voluntary briefings on political and security developments in the region and regularized meetings of high-level defence officials under the ARF Defence Officials’ Dialogue (DOD) and the ARF Security Policy Conference (ASPC). ASEAN has also established an annual ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meetings.

B.1.1.        Strengthen confidence-building measures

Actions

1. Organise regional exchanges among ASEAN Defense and military officials, at all levels, including among military academies, staff colleges and defence universities in the ASEAN Member States;
2. Promote the exchange of observers of military exercises, commensurate with the capability and condition of each ASEAN Member State;
3. Share information among ASEAN Member States on submissions to the UN Register of Conventional Arms;
4. Promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation between defence officials and exchange visits between military training institutions to promote trust and mutual understanding;   and
5. Conduct joint research projects on defence issues between government-affiliated policy and strategic research institutes in the region.

B.1.2.        Promote greater transparency and understanding of defence policies and security perceptions

Actions

1. Work towards developing and publishing an annual ASEAN Security Outlook;
2. Hold voluntary briefings on political and security developments in the  region;
3. Develop an ASEAN early warning system based on existing mechanisms to prevent occurrence/ escalation of conflicts; and
4. Hold consultations and cooperation on regional defence and security matters between ASEAN and external parties and Dialogue Partners including through the ADMM Plus when it is operationalised.

B.1.3.       Build up the necessary institutional framework to strengthen the ARF process in support of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC)

Actions

1. Follow-up on the recommendations of the Review of the ARF;
2. Implement the enhanced role of the ARF Chair, and activate the Friends of the ARF Chair mechanism as and when needed;
3. Implement the decision of the ARF Ministers to move the ARF towards the preventive diplomacy stage (PD);
4. Expand the capacity of the ARF Heads of Defense Universities, Colleges and Institutions Meeting (ARF HDUCIM) to exchange best practices in defense policies and academic development;
5. Compile best practices on confidence building measures, preventive diplomacy and conflict resolutions for further development by ARF; and
6. Enhance the role of the Secretary-General of ASEAN in the ARF including further strengthening the ARF Unit in the ASEAN Secretariat.

B.1.4.        Strengthen efforts in maintaining respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of ASEAN Member States as stipulated in the Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in Accordance with the Charter of the United Nations

Actions

1. Compile best practices and relevant international law to promote understanding and appreciation    of best practices concerning friendly relations and cooperation among Member States of the United Nations;

1. Convene consultation as well as a series of tract-two activities to strengthen cooperation in addressing threats and challenges that may affect the territorial integrity of ASEAN Member States including those posed by separatism;  and
2. Further promote and increase awareness on these issues to help accelerate the pace of ASEAN Community building and elevate ASEAN’s profile in the world.

B.1.5.       Promote the development of norms that enhance ASEAN defence and security cooperation

Action

1. Initiate preparatory work for the development of practical cooperation programmes among the militaries of ASEAN Member States.

B2.          CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

1. Convinced that the settlement of differences or disputes should be regulated by rational, effective and sufficiently flexible procedures, avoiding negative attitudes, which might endanger or hinder cooperation, ASEAN promotes the TAC, which seeks to preserve regional peace and harmony and prescribes that Member States refrain from threat or use of force.

1. The TAC gives provision for pacific settlement of disputes at all times through friendly negotiations and for refraining from the threat or use of force to settle disputes. The strategies for conflict resolution shall be an integral part of a comprehensive approach. The purpose of these strategies shall be to prevent disputes and conflicts from arising between ASEAN Member States that could potentially pose a threat to regional peace and stability.

1. ASEAN, the United Nations and other organisations have held a number of cooperation activities in the effort to promote peace and stability. More efforts are needed in strengthening the existing modes of pacific settlement of disputes to avoid or settle future disputes; and undertaking conflict management and conflict resolution research studies. Under the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN may also establish appropriate dispute settlement mechanisms.

B.2.1.        Build upon existing modes of pacific settlement of disputes and consider strengthening them with additional mechanisms as needed

Actions

1. Study and analyse existing dispute settlement modes and/or additional mechanisms with a view to enhancing regional mechanisms for the pacific settlement of  disputes;
2. Develop ASEAN modalities for good offices, conciliation and mediation;  and
3. Establish appropriate dispute settlement mechanism, including arbitration as provided for by the ASEAN Charter.

B.2.2.        Strengthen research activities on peace, conflict management and conflict resolution

Actions

1. Consider the establishment of an ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation;
2. Compile ASEAN’s experiences and best practices on peace, conflict management and conflict resolution;

1. Identify priority research topics, with a view to providing recommendations on promoting peace, conflict management and conflict  resolution;
2. Enhance existing cooperation among ASEAN think tanks to study peace, conflict management and conflict resolution;
3. Hold workshops on peace, conflict management and conflict resolution with relevant regional and international organisations, including the UN;
4. Undertake studies to promote gender mainstreaming in peace building, peace process and conflict resolution; and
5. Develop a pool of experts from ASEAN Member States as resource persons to assist in conflict management and conflict resolution  activities.

B.2.3.       Promote regional cooperation to maintain peace and stability

Actions

1. Carry out technical cooperation with the UN and relevant regional organisations to exchange expertise and experiences in maintaining peace and stability;
2. Identify national focal points, with a view to promoting regional cooperation in maintaining peace and stability; and
3. Establish a network among existing ASEAN Member States’ peace keeping centres to conduct joint planning, training, and sharing of experiences, with a view to establishing an ASEAN arrangement for the maintenance of peace and stability, in accordance with the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) 3-Year Work Programme.

B.3.          POST-CONFLICT PEACE-BUILDING

1. ASEAN’s efforts in post-conflict peace building shall complement other comprehensive approaches    to:

(a) ensure the complete discontinuity of conflicts and violence and/or man-made disasters in affected areas; (b) facilitate the return of peace and/or normalisation of life as early as possible; and (c) lay the ground for reconciliation and all other necessary measures to secure peace and stability, thus preventing the affected areas from falling again to conflicts in the  future.

1. Measures can be pursued in promoting humanitarian relief activities, including intensifying cooperation with the United Nations and other organisations, as well as capacity building for people in affected  areas.

B.3.1.       Strengthen ASEAN humanitarian assistance

Actions

1. Provide basic services or assistance to bring relief to victims of conflict in consultation with the receiving State;
2. Promote cooperation for orderly repatriation of refugees/displaced persons and resettlement of internally displaced persons;
3. Promote the safety of the humanitarian relief assistance workers;
4. Develop common operating procedures for the provision of humanitarian assistance in the event of conflict;
5. Intensify cooperation with the United Nations and promote the role and contributions of relevant international organisations on humanitarian assistance;

1. Promote civil-military dialogue and coordination in humanitarian assistance;  and
2. Expand the role and contribution of women in field-based humanitarian  operations.

B.3.2.       Implement human resources development and capacity building programmes in post- conflict areas

Actions

1. Draw up guidelines for training and capacity-building needs  assessment;
2. Identify priority training topics;
3. Design training programmes in the identified priority topics and development of training   materials;
4. Implement annual programmes in each target area;
5. Develop cooperation programmes with relevant external parties and financial institutions to promote Human Resources Development and capacity building in post-conflict reconstruction and peace building; and
6. Work towards the development of a systematic training programme for formal and community educators in the field of peace education and reconciliation, which can be conceptualised and implemented.

B.3.3.      Increase cooperation in reconciliation and further strengthen peace-oriented values

Actions

1. Undertake studies to increase cooperation in reconciliation and further strengthen peace-oriented values;
2. Promote public participation in the  development  of  cooperation  in  post-conflict  reconstruction  and rehabilitation including the encouragement of comprehensive input of academia, media, non- governmental organisations, civil society and community groups;  and
3. Promote inter-communal understanding through exchange  activities.

B.4.          NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY ISSUES

1. A key purpose of ASEAN is to respond effectively and in a timely manner, in accordance with the principles of comprehensive security, to all forms of threats, transnational crimes and transboundary challenges.

B.4.1.        Strengthen cooperation in addressing non-traditional security issues, particularly in combating transnational crimes and other transboundary challenges

Actions

1. Implement effectively eight priority areas in the Work Programme to Implement the Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime;
2. Endeavour to ratify the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters among ASEAN Member States and work towards elevating it to an ASEAN treaty;
3. Continue the work of the working group, as mandated by the ASEAN Law Ministers’ Meeting, to enhance cooperation on the issue of extradition;
4. Further strengthen criminal justice responses to trafficking in persons, bearing in mind the need to protect victims of trafficking in accordance with the ASEAN Declaration Against Trafficking in Persons Particularly Women and Children, and where applicable, other relevant international conventions and protocols on trafficking in  persons;

1. Enhance cooperation to combat people-smuggling;
2. Work towards a drug-free ASEAN by 2015, in accordance with the ASEAN Work Plan for Combating Illicit Drug-Trafficking, by: strengthening measures to prevent the illicit production of drugs, import and export of controlled chemical precursors as well as regional cooperation in controlled delivery; and enhancing cross-border law enforcement cooperation through information sharing, best practices, and capacity building, in combating   drug-trafficking;
3. Develop multilateral or bilateral legal arrangements towards combating drug and precursor chemical trafficking starting in 2008;
4. Provide assistance to ASEAN Member States in enhancing scientific laboratory capacity in precursor identification and drugs signature analysis for drug enforcement operation and  intelligence;
5. Provide transfer of knowledge concerning the profile of drug crime syndicate groups as well as watch-list of their drug  activities;
6. Provide transfer of knowledge on best practices on the disposal of precursors and essential chemicals seized from clandestine laboratories;
7. Strengthen the capacity of the criminal justice system including judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials on drug  control;
8. Enhance cooperation with relevant external parties in combating transnational crimes, including countering terrorism;
9. Enhance cooperation and coordination among existing ASEAN sectoral bodies in dealing with transnational crimes;
10. Strengthen close cooperation among ASEAN Member States, to combat IUU fishing in the region and where applicable, through the implementation of the IPOA - IUU fishing and work towards the establishment of ASEAN Fisheries Consultative Forum (AFCF);
11. Promote full implementation by relevant sectoral bodies, to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects, in accordance with the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects (UN PoA) and the International Instrument to enable States to Identify and Trace, in Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (International Tracing Instrument);
12. Strengthen cooperation and assistance in combating and suppressing cyber crimes including cooperation among law enforcement agencies, taking into account the need of each country to develop laws to address cyber crimes;
13. Forge closer cooperation in fighting against sea piracy, armed robbery against ships, hijacking and smuggling, in accordance with international laws;  and
14. Strengthen cooperation in the field of border management to jointly address matters of common concern, including forgeries of identification and travel documents, by enhancing the use of relevant technologies to effectively stem the flow of terrorists and  criminals.

B.4.2.        Intensify counter-terrorism efforts by early ratification and full implementation of the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism

Actions

1. Work towards the entry into force of the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism (ACCT) by 2009 its ratification by all ASEAN Member States, and promote effective implementation of the  Convention;
2. Endeavour to accede and ratify the relevant international instruments on counter  terrorism;
3. Promote effective implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism; and
4. Cooperate to support development initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of terrorism and conditions conducive to  terrorism.

B.5.             STRENGTHEN ASEAN COOPERATION ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Actions

1. Enhance joint effective and early response at the political and operational levels in activating the ASEAN disaster management arrangements to assist affected countries in the event of major disasters;
2. Enhance civilian-military coordination in providing effective and timely response to major natural disasters;
3. Finalise the SOP for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations for establishing joint operations in providing relief aid to disaster affected areas of Member States in line with the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER);
4. Work towards effective interface on disaster management between ASEAN and other ASEAN-related bodies such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summit (EAS) in a manner that will enhance ASEAN’s disaster management capacities; and
5. Develop ARF strategic guidelines for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation.

B.6.             EFFECTIVE AND TIMELY RESPONSE TO URGENT ISSUES OR CRISIS SITUATIONS AFFECTING ASEAN

Action

1. Convene special meetings at the Leaders’ or Ministerial levels in the event of crisis or emergency situations affecting ASEAN; and develop arrangements to address such situations in a timely manner.

1. A DYNAMIC AND OUTWARD-LOOKING REGION IN AN INCREASINGLY INTEGRATED AND INTERDEPENDENT WORLD

1. ASEAN fosters and maintains friendly and mutually beneficial relations with external parties to ensure that the peoples and Member States of ASEAN live in peace with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment. ASEAN remains outward-looking and plays a pivotal role in the regional and international fora to advance ASEAN’s common interests.

1. Through its external relations, ASEAN will exercise and maintain its centrality and proactive role as     the primary driving force in an open, transparent and inclusive regional architecture to support the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015.

C.1.              STRENGTHENING ASEAN CENTRALITY IN REGIONAL COOPERATION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING

Actions

1. Initiate, host, Chair and/or Co-Chair activities and meetings with Dialogue Partners, other external parties, and within the context of ASEAN Plus Three, EAS and ARF;

1. Explore, initiate and implement concrete cooperation activities on actions as stipulated in various agreed documents including the APSC Blueprint under the existing regional  frameworks;
2. Advance the ARF towards Preventive Diplomacy in a phased and prudent manner while continuing with Confidence Building Measures; while also engaging other regional and international organisations and Track II organisations in the process; and
3. Enhance coordination in ASEAN’s external relation and regional and multilateral fora.

C.2.              PROMOTING ENHANCED TIES WITH ExTERNAL PARTIES

Actions

1. Promote activities to raise awareness of ASEAN and enhance ASEAN’s interests, including the establishment of ASEAN Committees in Third Countries where appropriate;
2. Explore cooperation projects with regional organisations such as the GCC, ECO, Rio Group, SAARC and SCO; and
3. Develop cooperation projects to implement the ASEAN-UN Memorandum of  Understanding  (MOU).

C.3.             STRENGTHENING CONSULTATIONS AND COOPERATION ON MULTILATERAL ISSUES OF COMMON CONCERN

Action

1. Enhance consultations within ASEAN including by ASEAN Permanent Missions in United Nations and other International Organisations with the aim of promoting ASEAN’s interests.

III.          IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW OF THE APSC BLUEPRINT

1. IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM

1. To ensure the success in implementing the APSC Blueprint, Member States shall integrate the programmes and activities of the Blueprint into their respective national development  plans.

1. All relevant ASEAN senior official bodies or their equivalent shall be responsible in ensuring the implementation of the various elements, actions and commitments in the Blueprint by reflecting them in their respective work plans, mobilising resources for them, raising issues for the consideration of their respective ministerial bodies and the ASEAN Leaders, and undertaking national initiatives in order to meet these commitments.

1. The Coordinating Conference for the ASEAN Political-Security Community Plan of Action (ASCCO) shall continue to serve as the platform in coordinating the efforts of various sectoral bodies through exchanges of information, best practices, and lessons learned in the implementation of the APSC Blueprint. ASCCO’s new initiatives and recommendations on emerging issues shall be reported to the ASEAN Political-Security Council.

1. The ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council shall be responsible for the overall implementation of the Blueprint and shall ensure coordination of efforts under its purview as well as those which cut across the other Community  Councils.

1. Progress of implementation of the APSC Blueprint shall be reported annually by the Secretary-General of ASEAN to the annual ASEAN Summit, through the APSC Council.

1. RESOURCE MOBILISATION

1. Financial resources to implement the Blueprint will be mobilised by ASEAN Member States, as well as from various facilities including the ASEAN Development Fund (ADF), Dialogue Partners, donor countries, international agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental  organisations.

1. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

1. To ensure the success of establishing the APSC, a comprehensive communication plan will be developed and launched at the national and regional levels. This will not only create greater public awareness of the various initiatives, outcomes and issues of the APSC, but also enable all stakeholders to be involved in the process.

1. REVIEW MECHANISM

1. The APSC Blueprint shall be reviewed and evaluated to ensure that all the activities are responsive to the needs and priorities of ASEAN, taking into account the changing dynamics of the region and the global environment. The review and evaluation shall be conducted biennially by the ASCCO, in co-ordination with the ASEAN Secretariat. In the course of the review and evaluation, ASEAN Member States are given the flexibility to update the Blueprint. As in the progress of implementation of the APSC Blueprint, the results of the review and evaluation shall be reported by the Secretary-General of ASEAN to the ASEAN Summit through the APSC Council.

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ASEAN Economic Community  Blueprint

ASEAN  Economic  Community Blueprint

1. INTRODUCTION

1. The ASEAN Leaders at their Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December 1997 decided to transform ASEAN into a stable, prosperous, and highly competitive region with equitable economic development, and reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities (ASEAN Vision 2020).

1. At the Bali Summit in October 2003, ASEAN Leaders declared that the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) shall be the goal of regional economic integration (Bali Concord II) by 2020. In addition to the AEC, the ASEAN Security Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community are the other two integral pillars of the envisaged ASEAN Community. All the three pillars are expected to work in tandem in establishing the ASEAN Community in 2020.

1. Subsequently, the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) held in August 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, agreed to develop “a single and coherent blueprint for advancing the AEC by identifying the characteristics and elements of the AEC by 2015 consistent with the Bali Concord II with clear targets and timelines for implementation of various measures as well as pre-agreed flexibilities to accommodate the interests of all ASEAN Member Countries.”

1. At the 12th ASEAN Summit in January 2007, the Leaders affirmed their strong commitment to accelerate the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 as envisioned in the ASEAN Vision 2020 and the ASEAN Concord II, and signed the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015. In particular, the Leaders agreed to hasten the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 and to transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour, and freer flow of  capital.

1. CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS OF AEC

1. The AEC is the realisation of the end goal of economic integration as espoused in the Vision 2020, which is based on a convergence of interests of ASEAN Member Countries to deepen and broaden economic integration through existing and new initiatives with clear timelines. In establishing the AEC, ASEAN shall act in accordance to the principles of an open, outward-looking, inclusive, and market-driven economy consistent with multilateral rules as well as adherence to rules-based systems for effective compliance and implementation of economic  commitments.

1. The AEC will establish ASEAN as a single market and production base making ASEAN more dynamic and competitive with new mechanisms and measures to strengthen the implementation of its existing economic initiatives; accelerating regional integration in the priority sectors; facilitating movement of business persons, skilled labour and talents; and strengthening the institutional mechanisms of ASEAN. As a first step towards realising the ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN has been implementing the recommendations of the High Level Task Force (HLTF) on ASEAN Economic Integration contained in the Bali Concord II.

1. At the same time, the AEC will address the development divide and accelerate integration of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV) through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration and other regional initiatives. Other areas of cooperation are also to be incorporated such as human resources development and capacity building; recognition of professional qualifications; closer consultation on macroeconomic and financial policies; trade financing measures; enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity; development of electronic transactions through e-ASEAN; integrating industries across the region to promote regional sourcing; and enhancing private sector involvement for the building of the AEC.

1. Based on the above and taking into consideration the importance of external trade to ASEAN and the need for the ASEAN Community as a whole to remain outward looking, the AEC envisages the following key characteristics: (a) a single market and production base, (b) a highly competitive economic region,

(c) a region of equitable economic development, and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy. These characteristics are inter-related and mutually reinforcing. Incorporating the required elements of each characteristic in one Blueprint shall ensure the consistency and coherence of these elements as well as their implementation and proper coordination among relevant  stakeholders.

1. SINGLE MARKET AND PRODUCTION BASE

1. An ASEAN single market and production base shall comprise five core elements: (i) free flow of goods; (ii) free flow of services; (iii) free flow of investment; (iv) freer flow of capital; and (v) free flow of skilled labour. In addition, the single market and production base also include two important components, namely, the priority integration sectors, and food, agriculture and  forestry.

A.1.      FREE FLOW OF GOODS

1. Free flow of goods is one of the principal means by which the aims of a single market and production base can be achieved. A single market for goods (and services) will also facilitate the development of production networks in the region and enhance ASEAN’s capacity to serve as a global production centre or as a part of the global supply chain.

1. Through ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), ASEAN has achieved significant progress in the removal of tariffs. However, free flow of goods would require not only zero tariffs but the removal of non-tariff barriers as well. In addition, another major component that would facilitate free flow of goods is trade facilitation measures such as integrating customs procedures, establishing the ASEAN Single Window, continuously enhancing the Common Effective Preferential Tariffs (CEPT) Rules of Origin including its Operational Certification Procedures, and harmonising standards and conformance  procedures.

1. The Common Effective Preferential Tariffs for ASEAN Free Trade Area (CEPT-AFTA) Agreement will be reviewed and enhanced to become a comprehensive agreement in realising free flow of goods and applicable to ASEAN needs for accelerated economic integration towards  2015.

1. Elimination of Tariffs. Tariffs on all intra-ASEAN goods will be eliminated in accordance with the schedules and commitments set out in the CEPT-AFTA Agreement and other relevant  Agreements/Protocols.

Actions:

1. Eliminate import duties on all products, except for those phased in from the Sensitive and Highly Sensitive Lists by 2010 for ASEAN-6 and by 2015, with flexibilities for some sensitive products by

2018, for CLMV in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol to Amend the CEPT Agreement for the Elimination of Import Duties;

1. Eliminate import duties on products in the Priority Integration Sectors by 2007 for ASEAN-6 and 2012 for CLMV in accordance with the provisions of the ASEAN Framework (Amendment) Agreement for the Integration of Priority Sectors;
2. Complete the phasing in of the remaining products in the Sensitive List (SL) into the CEPT Scheme and reduce tariffs on these products to 0-5% by 1 January 2010 for ASEAN-6, 1 January 2013 for Viet Nam, 1 January 2015 for Lao PDR and Myanmar, and by 1 January 2017 for Cambodia, in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol on Special Arrangements for Sensitive and Highly Sensitive Products; and
3. Phase in products, which are in the General Exceptions List, in conformity with the CEPT Agreement.

1. Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers. ASEAN has achieved significant progress in tariff liberalisation. The main focus of ASEAN towards 2015 will be placed on the full elimination of non-tariff barriers (NTBs).

Actions:

1. Enhance transparency by abiding to the Protocol on Notification Procedure and setting up an effective Surveillance Mechanism;
2. Abide by the commitment of a standstill and roll-back on  NTBs;
3. Remove all NTBs by 2010 for ASEAN-5, by 2012 for the Philippines, and by 2015 with flexibilities   to 2018 for CLMV, in accordance with the agreed Work Programme on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) elimination;
4. Enhance transparency of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs); and
5. Work towards where possible having regional rules and regulations consistent with International best practices.

1. Rules of Origin (ROO): Putting in place ROO which are responsive to the dynamic changes in global production processes so as to: facilitate trade and investment among ASEAN Member Countries; promote a regional production network; encourage development of SMEs and the narrowing of development gaps; and promote the increased usage of the AFTA CEPT Scheme.

Actions:

1. Continuously reform and enhance the CEPT ROO to respond to changes in regional production processes, including making necessary adjustments such as the introduction of advance rulings and improvements to the ROO;
2. Simplify the Operational Certification Procedures for the CEPT ROO and ensure its continuous enhancement, including the introduction of facilitative processes such as the electronic processing  of certificates of origin, and harmonisation or alignment of national procedures to the extent possible; and
3. Review all the ROO implemented by ASEAN Member Countries, individually and collectively, and explore possible cumulation mechanisms, where possible.

1. Trade facilitation. Simple, harmonised and standardised trade and customs, processes, procedures and related information flows are expected to reduce transaction costs in ASEAN which will enhance export competitiveness and facilitate the integration of ASEAN into a single market for goods, services and investments and a single production base.

Actions:

1. Assess trade facilitation conditions in ASEAN;
2. Develop and implement a comprehensive trade facilitation work programme which aims at simplifying, harmonising and standardising trade and customs, processes, procedures and related information flows;
3. Promote transparency and visibility of all actions and interventions by all stakeholders within international trade transactions;
4. Establish a regional trade facilitation cooperation mechanism;
5. Establish ASEAN Trade Facilitation Repository;
6. Develop national level measures to support and ensure effective implementation of regional level initiatives; and
7. Develop a comprehensive capacity building programmes to ensure smooth implementation of the work programme.

1. Customs Integration. In light of the acceleration of AEC, the realisation of ASEAN Customs Vision 2020 is brought forward to 2015. In particular, the 2005-2010 Strategic Plan of Customs Development aims  to: (a) integrate customs structures; (b) modernise tariff classification, customs valuation and origin determination and establish ASEAN e-Customs; (c) smoothen customs clearance; (d) strengthen human resources development; (e) promote partnership with relevant international organisations; (f) narrow the development gaps in customs; and (g) adopt risk management techniques and audit-based control  (PCA) for trade facilitation.

Actions:

1. Modernise customs techniques, guided by simple and harmonised customs procedures and formalities in line with international standards and best practices through the implementation of regional models of processing of cargoes and shipments (ASEAN Cargo Clearance and ASEAN Customs Declaration Document in 2007);
2. Establish ASEAN Customs Transit system to facilitate movement of goods and means of  transport;
3. Establish ASEAN Customs systems dealing with special customs regimes such as Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing with the view to facilitate integration of production and supply chains;
4. Adopt international standards and practices to secure a uniform system of tariff classification, a synchronised system of value assessment for customs purposes and a harmonised system of origin determination, and information exchange where possible;
5. Implement ASEAN e-Customs; and
6. Promote mutual assistance for better customs efficiency and  effectiveness.

1. ASEAN Single Window. The implementation of measures of simplifying, harmonising and standardising trade and customs, processes, procedures and the application of ICT in all areas related to trade facilitation would be paramount in the ultimate creation of an ASEAN Single Window. The ASEAN Single Window is an environment where ten National Single Windows of individual Member Countries operate and integrate. National Single Window enables a single submission of data and information, a single and synchronous processing of data and information and a single decision-making for customs clearance    of cargo, which expedites the customs clearance, reduce transaction time and costs, and thus enhance trade efficiency and competitiveness.

Actions:

1. ASEAN-6 (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) shall operationalise their National Single Windows by 2008 at the latest;
2. ASEAN-4 (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam) shall operationalise their National Single Windows no later than 2012; and
3. Standardisation of data elements based on WCO data model, the WCO data set and United    Nation Trade Data Elements Directory (UNTDED) and acceleration of introduction of information, communication and technology (ICT) for digitalised processing and  exchange.

1. Standards and Technical Barriers to Trade. Systems of standards, quality assurance, accreditation, and measurement are crucial to promote greater efficiency and enhance cost effectiveness of production     of intra-regional imports/exports. Standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures will be harmonised through the implementation of the ASEAN Policy Guideline on Standards and Conformance, with greater transparency, improved quality of conformity assessment and active participation of the private  sector.

Actions:

1. Harmonise standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures through their alignment with international practices, where  applicable;1
2. Develop and implement sectoral Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) on Conformity Assessment for specific sectors identified in the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Mutual Recognition Arrangements (also see footnote 1);
3. Enhance technical infrastructure and competency in laboratory testing, calibration, inspection, certification and accreditation based on regionally/internationally accepted procedures and   guides;
4. Promote transparency in the development and application of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures in line with the requirements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and the ASEAN Policy Guideline on Standards and Conformance;
5. Strengthen post market surveillance systems to ensure the successful implementation of the harmonised technical regulations; and
6. Develop capacity building programmes to ensure smooth implementation of the work   programme.

A.2.      FREE FLOW OF SERVICES

1. Free flow of trade in services is one of the important elements in realising ASEAN Economic Community, where there will be substantially no restriction to ASEAN services suppliers in providing services and    in establishing companies across national borders within the region, subject to domestic regulations. Liberalisation of services has been carried out through rounds of negotiation mainly under the Coordinating Committee on Services. Negotiation of some specific services sectors such as financial services and   air transport are carried out by their respective Ministerial bodies. In liberalising services, there should  be no back-loading of commitments, and pre-agreed flexibility shall be accorded to all ASEAN Member Countries.

1. In facilitating the free flow of services by 2015, ASEAN is also working towards recognition of professional qualifications with a view to facilitate their movement within the  region.

1      Identification of standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures to be harmonised or for sectoral MRAs           to be developed, must take into consideration the impact on ASEAN trade, the complexity of the regulatory system, the technical infrastructure as well as the feedback from stakeholders.

Actions:

1. Remove substantially all restrictions on trade in services for 4 priority services sectors, air transport, e-ASEAN, healthcare and tourism, by 2010 and the fifth priority services sector, logistics services, by 2013;
2. Remove substantially all restrictions on trade in services for all other services sectors by  2015;
3. Undertake liberalisation through consecutive rounds of every two years until 2015, i.e. 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015;
4. Target to schedule minimum numbers of new sub-sectors for each round: 10 sub-sectors in 2008,  15 in 2010, 20 in 2012, 20 in 2014 and 7 in 2015, based on GATS W/120 universe of classification;
5. Schedule packages of commitments for every round according to the following   parameters:

•    No restrictions for Modes 1 and 2, with exceptions due to bona fide regulatory reasons (such     as public safety) which are subject to agreement by all Member Countries on a case-by-case basis;

• Allow for foreign (ASEAN) equity participation of not less than 51% by 2008, and 70% by 2010 for the 4 priority services sectors; not less than 49% by 2008, 51% by 2010, and 70% by 2013

for logistics services; and not less than 49% by 2008, 51% by 2010, and 70% by 2015 for other services sectors; and

•     Progressively remove other Mode 3 market access limitations by 2015;

1. Set the parameters of liberalisation for national treatment limitations, Mode 4 and limitations in the horizontal commitments for each round by  2009;
2. Schedule commitments according to agreed parameters for national treatment limitations, Mode 4 and limitations in the horizontal commitments set in  2009;
3. Complete the compilation of an inventory of barriers to services by August  2008;
   1. Allow for overall flexibilities,2  which cover the sub-sectors totally excluded from liberalisation and   the sub-sectors in which not all the agreed parameters of liberalisation of the modes of supply are met, in scheduling liberalisation commitments. The scheduling of liberalisation commitments in each round shall be accorded with the following  flexibilities:

• Possibility of catching up in the next round if a Member Country is not able to meet the parameters of commitments set for the previous round;

• Allowing for substituting sub-sectors that have been agreed to be liberalised in a round but for which a Member Country is not able to make commitments with sub-sectors outside the agreed sub-sectors; and

•     Liberalisation through the ASEAN Minus X formula.

1. Complete mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) currently under negotiation, i.e. architectural services, accountancy services, surveying qualifications, medical practitioners by 2008, and dental practitioners by 2009;
2. Implement the MRAs expeditiously according to the provisions of each respective  MRA;
3. Identify and develop MRAs for other professional services by 2012, to be completed by 2015;  and
4. Strengthen human resource development and capacity building in the area of  services.

For the financial services sector,3

1. Liberalisation measures of the financial services sector should allow members to ensure orderly financial sector development and maintenance of financial and socio-economic stability. Member Countries would be guided by the following principles in pacing their liberalisation  measures:

2      The 15% figure for overall flexibility will be reviewed upon the completion of the inventory of limitations in   2008.

3      All measures for the financial services sector will be subject to prudential measures and balance of payment safeguards as provided for under the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services.

a)         Liberalisation through ASEAN Minus X formula where countries that are ready to liberalise can proceed first and be joined by others later;  and

b)         The process of liberalisation should take place with due respect for national policy objectives and the level of economic and financial sector development of the individual  members.

Actions:

1. Progressively liberalise restrictions in sub-sectors or modes as identified by each member country by 2015; and
2. Progressively liberalise restrictions in the remaining sub-sectors or modes, which are not identified under “pre-agreed flexibilities”, by  2020.

A.3.     FREE FLOW OF INVESTMENT

1. A free and open investment regime is key to enhancing ASEAN’s competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) as well as intra-ASEAN investment. Sustained inflows of new investments and reinvestments will promote and ensure dynamic development of ASEAN economies.

1. ASEAN investment cooperation is being implemented through the Framework Agreement on the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA), 1998, while investment protection is accorded under a separate agreement i.e. the ASEAN Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investment, 1987 or commonly referred to as ASEAN Investment Guarantee Agreement (IGA).

1. Under the AIA, all industries (in the manufacturing, agriculture, fishery, forestry and mining and quarrying sectors and services incidental to these five sectors) shall be open and national treatment granted to investors both at the pre-establishment and the post-establishment stages, with some exceptions as listed in member countries’ Temporary Exclusion Lists (TEL) and Sensitive Lists (SL) . The TEL is to be phased-out based on agreed timelines. Although the SL does not have a timeline for phasing-out, they will be reviewed periodically.

1. To enhance regional integration as well as to maintain a competitive investment area, both the Framework Agreement on the AIA and the ASEAN IGA will be reviewed. The objective is to realise a more comprehensive investment agreement which should be forward looking, with improved features, provisions and obligations by considering international best practices that would increase the investor confidence in ASEAN. The ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), which will build on the existing AIA Agreement and ASEAN IGA, will cover the following pillars:

Investment Protection

1. Provide enhanced protection to all investors and their investments to be covered under the comprehensive agreement.

Actions:

1. To  strengthen among others the following provisions:

• investor-state dispute settlement mechanism;
• transfer and repatriation of capital, profits, dividends,  etc.;4

4   Since these items are related to capital movements, they should follow the guiding principles of capital movements as stated in section

A.4.      ‘Freer Flow of Capital’, particularly on Allowing Greater Capital Mobility.

• transparent coverage on the expropriation and  compensation;
• full protection and security; and
• treatment of compensation for losses resulting from  strife.

Facilitation and Cooperation

1. A more transparent, consistent and predictable investment rules, regulations, policies and  procedures.

Actions:

1. Harmonise, where possible, investment policies to achieve industrial complementation and economic integration;
2. Streamline and simplify procedures for investment applications and  approvals;
3. Promote dissemination of investment information: rules, regulations, policies and procedures, including through one-stop investment centre or investment promotion   board;
4. Strengthen databases on all forms of investments covering goods and services to facilitate policy formulation;
5. Strengthen coordination among government ministries and agencies  concerned;
6. Consultation with ASEAN private sectors to facilitate investment;  and
7. Identify and work towards areas of complementation ASEAN-wide as well as bilateral economic integration.

Promotion and Awareness

1. Promote ASEAN as an integrated investment area and production network.

Actions:

1. Create the necessary environment to promote all forms of investment and new growth areas into ASEAN;
2. Promote intra-ASEAN investments, particularly investments from ASEAN-6 to CLMV;
3. Promote the growth and development of SMEs and MNEs;
4. Promote industrial complementation and production networks among MNCs in  ASEAN;
5. Promote joint investment missions that focus on regional clusters and production   networks;
6. Extend the benefits of ASEAN industrial cooperation initiatives in addition to the AICO Scheme to encourage regional clusters and production networks;  and
7. Work towards establishing an effective network of bilateral agreements on avoidance of double taxation among ASEAN countries.

Liberalisation

1. Progressive liberalisation of ASEAN Member Countries’ investment regime to achieve free and open investment by 2015.

Actions:

1. Extend non-discriminatory treatment, including national treatment and most-favoured nation treatment, to investors in ASEAN with limited exceptions; minimise and where possible, eliminate such exceptions;
2. Reduce and where possible, eliminate restrictions to entry for investments in the Priority Integration Sectors covering goods; and
3. Reduce and where possible, eliminate restrictive investment measures and other impediments, including performance requirements.

A.4.      FREER FLOW OF CAPITAL

1. Strengthening ASEAN Capital Market Development and Integration.

Actions:

1. Achieve greater harmonisation in capital market standards in ASEAN in the areas of offering rules for debt securities, disclosure requirements and distribution  rules;
2. Facilitate mutual recognition arrangement or agreement for the cross recognition of qualification and education and experience of market professionals;
3. Achieve greater flexibility in language and governing law requirements for securities issuance;
4. Enhance withholding tax structure, where possible, to promote the broadening of investor base in ASEAN debt issuance; and
5. Facilitate market driven efforts to establish exchange and debt market linkages, including cross- border capital raising activities.

1. Allowing Greater Capital Mobility.

The liberalisation of capital movements is to be guided by the following  principles:

a)         Ensuring an orderly capital account liberalisation consistent with member countries’ national agenda and readiness of the economy;

b)         Allowing adequate safeguard against potential macroeconomic instability and systemic risk that  may arise from the liberalisation process, including the right to adopt necessary measures to ensure macroeconomic stability; and

c)         Ensuring the benefits of liberalisation to be shared by all ASEAN countries.

Actions:

1. Remove or relax restrictions, where appropriate and possible, to facilitate the flows of payments and transfers for current account  transactions;
2. Remove or relax restrictions on capital flows, where appropriate and possible, to support foreign direct investment and initiatives to promote capital market  development

A.5.     FREE FLOW OF SKILLED LABOUR

1. In allowing for managed mobility or facilitated entry for the movement of natural persons engaged         in trade in goods, services, and investments, according to the prevailing regulations of the receiving country, ASEAN is working to:

Action:

i.           Facilitate the issuance of visas and employment passes for ASEAN professionals and skilled labour who are engaged in cross-border trade and investment related  activities.

1. In facilitating the free flow of services (by 2015), ASEAN is also working towards harmonisation and standardisation, with a view to facilitate their movement within the  region.

Actions:

1. Enhance cooperation among ASEAN University Network (AUN) members to increase mobility for both students and staff within the  region;

1. Develop core competencies and qualifications for job/occupational and trainers skills required in the priority services sectors (by 2009); and in other services sectors (from 2010 to 2015); and
2. Strengthen the research capabilities of each ASEAN Member Country in terms of promoting skills, job placements, and developing labour market information networks among ASEAN Member Countries.

A.6.     PRIORITY INTEGRATION SECTORS

1. While it is desirable to integrate across the whole range of economic sectors, ASEAN has recognised the magnitude of the challenge this would pose and initially focused its resources on comprehensively integrating a limited number of priority sectors, which will serve as a catalyst for the overall ASEAN economic integration.

1. Twelve priority integration sectors were identified for accelerated economic integration. Several Member Countries took on the coordinator role for each sector. Each priority integration sector has a roadmap, which combines specific initiatives of the sector and the broad initiatives that cut across all sectors such as trade facilitation measures.

1. Raising the efficiency of these key sectors will enable ASEAN to compete for capital, and retain value- added economic activity and employment in the region. The sectoral approach allows the region to focus its limited resources on rapid and deep integration in these critical areas while provides ASEAN members the opportunity to observe and manage the impact of integration and to jointly develop a stronger sense of commitment to economic integration prior to a broader   roll-out.

Actions:

1. Conduct a bi-annual review to monitor the status, progress and effectiveness of PIS roadmaps to ensure their timely implementation; and
2. Identify sector-specific projects or initiatives through regular dialogues or consultation with stakeholders, particularly the private  sector.

A.7.      FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

1. Enhance intra- and extra-ASEAN trade and long-term competitiveness of ASEAN’s food, agriculture and forestry  products/commodities.

Actions:

1. Monitor implementation of CEPT-AFTA schemes for agricultural and forest  products;
2. Develop and apply fisheries quality management systems that ensure food safety and support competitive position of ASEAN fisheries products on world markets through the implementation, validation, verification of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)-based systems and improved laboratories practices, and adapting quality and safety management systems so that they may be applied to small enterprises in ASEAN by 2009;
3. Establish Good Agriculture / Aquaculture Practices (GAP), Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), Good Hygiene Practices (GHP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) based systems; for agricultural and food products with significant trade / trade potential by 2012;

1. Harmonise the quarantine and inspection/sampling procedure by 2010 and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures for agricultural, food and forestry products with significant trade / trade potential; in accordance with international standards/guidelines, where applicable, by  2015;
2. Harmonise the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of commonly used pesticides for widely traded crop products in accordance with international standards/guidelines, where applicable, by   2010;
3. Harmonise the regulatory framework for agricultural products derived from modern biotechnology in accordance with international standards/guidelines, where applicable, by  2015;
4. Harmonise the safety and quality standards for horticultural produce and agricultural products of economic importance in the ASEAN region, in accordance with international standards/guidelines, where applicable, by 2015;
5. Harmonise the animal (both terrestrial and aquatic animals) health control for safety of food of animal origin through a common bio-security management standards scheme, in accordance with international standards/guidelines, where applicable, by 2015;
6. Harmonise guidelines for the use of chemicals in aquaculture and measures to eliminate the use     of harmful chemicals, in accordance with international standards/guidelines, where applicable, by 2009; and
7. Develop a regional reference framework on phased-approach to forest certification by  2015.

1. Promote cooperation, joint approaches and technology transfer among ASEAN Member Countries and international, regional organisations and private sector.

Actions:

1. Develop joint strategies / positions on issues of related interest to ASEAN with international organisations such as WTO, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), CODEX, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and dialogue partners;
2. Promote collaborative research and technology transfer in agriculture, food and forestry  products;
3. Establish strategic alliances and joint approaches with the private sectors in promoting food safety, investment and joint venture opportunities, promotion of agricultural products and market   access;
4. Strengthen efforts to combat illegal logging and its associated trade, forest fire and its resultant effects; and
5. Strengthen efforts to combat illegal fishing.

1. Promote ASEAN agricultural cooperatives as a means to empower and enhance market access of agricultural products, to build a network mechanism linking agricultural cooperatives, and to fulfil the purpose of agricultural cooperatives for the benefit of farmers in the  region.

Actions:

1. Strengthen strategic alliance between agricultural cooperatives in ASEAN through bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation;
2. Establish business linkages among the potential agricultural cooperatives within ASEAN; and
3. Promote direct investment and strategic partnership with ASEAN agricultural cooperatives producers, consumers, and traders.

1. COMPETITIVE ECONOMIC REGION

B.1.     COMPETITION POLICY

1. The main objective of the competition policy is to foster a culture of fair competition. Institutions and  laws related to competition policy have recently been established in some (but not all) ASEAN Member Countries (AMCs).5 There is currently no official ASEAN body for cooperative work on CPL to serve as  a network for competition agencies or relevant bodies to exchange policy experiences and institutional norms on CPL.

Actions:

1. Endeavour to introduce competition policy in all ASEAN Member Countries by  2015;
2. Establish a network of authorities or agencies responsible for competition policy to serve as a forum for discussing and coordinating competition  policies;
3. Encourage capacity building programmes/activities for ASEAN Member Countries in developing national competition policy;  and
4. Develop a regional guideline on competition policy by 2010, based on country experiences and international best practices with the view to creating a fair competition   environment.

B.2.     CONSUMER PROTECTION

1. The building of an integrated economic region with a people-centred approach in this region has made ASEAN mindful that consumers cannot be precluded in all measures taken to achieve this integration. Consumer protection measures are already being developed in tandem with the proposed economic measures to address the already emerging consumer protection.

Actions:

1. Strengthen consumer protection in ASEAN through the establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCCP);
2. Establish a network of consumer protection agencies to facilitate information sharing and exchange; and
3. Organise regional training courses for consumer protection officials and consumer leaders in preparation for an integrated ASEAN market.

B3.          INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR)

1. In principle, intellectual property (IP) policy can serve as a powerful stimulus to (a) cultural, intellectual and artistic creativity and their commercialisation; (b) efficient adoption and adaptation of more advanced technologies; and (c) continuous learning to meet the ever-rising threshold of performance expectations.

1. IP policy can also help to incubate a vibrant culture of creativity and invention, and to ensure more equitable access and benefits to all stakeholders in both traditional and newer IPRs. Furthermore, IP policy can influence both the volume and quality of external trade and investment and the transfers

5 Currently, only four AMCs (Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam) have their own competition law and competition regulatory bodies. Malaysia has not passed any nation-wide competition law but has, instead, relied on sector-level regulations to ensure and enforce competition in markets.

of advanced, proprietary technologies. IP creativity is a major determinant of local value added and external competitiveness.

1. Regional cooperation in IPR has been guided by the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2004-2010 and the Work Plan for ASEAN Cooperation on Copyrights which aim to develop a culture of learning and innovation supported by a friendlier IP profile to businesses, investors, inventors and creators in ASEAN. In addition, these Plans are also designed to foster better public awareness, coordination and networking, predictability, capacity building, and contribution of IP industries to competitiveness and    development.

Actions:

1. Fully implement the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2004-2010, and the Work Plan for ASEAN Cooperation on Copyrights;
2. Establish an ASEAN filing system for design to facilitate filings by users and promote coordination among the IP Offices in ASEAN Member Countries, as receiving office, contingent upon the language requirements;
3. Accession to the Madrid Protocol, where  possible;
4. Sustain consultations and information exchanges among national enforcement agencies in IPR protection; and
5. Promote regional cooperation on Traditional Knowledge (TK), Genetic Resources (GR) and Cultural Traditional Expressions (CTE).

B.4.     INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

1. Transport Cooperation. An efficient, secure and integrated transport network in ASEAN is vital for realising the full potential of the ASEAN Free Trade Area as well as in enhancing the attractiveness of the region as a single production, tourism and investment destination and narrowing development gaps. ASEAN transport is also critical in linking ASEAN with the neighbouring Northeast and South Asian  countries.

1. Regional efforts have been made to enhance transport facilitation and logistics services, promote multimodal transport infrastructure linkages and connectivity, facilitate transport and tourism integration and further liberalise the air and maritime transport sectors. The enabling framework for the full liberalisation of air services in ASEAN shall be expeditiously implemented.

1. Multi-modal transport and transport facilitation. The ASEAN  Transport  Action  Plan  (ATAP) 2005-  2010 covers maritime, land and air transport, and transport facilitation. The Plan outlines 48 action measures.

Actions:

1. Implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit by  2009;
2. Implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Multimodal Transport by 2010; and
3. Finalisation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport by 2008 for its implementation beginning 2010.

1. Land transport. Priority is given to completion of the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link (SKRL) and the ASEAN Highway Network (AHN) projects.

Actions:

1. Complete the development of all the missing links in the Singapore-Kunming Rail  Link;
2. Complete the implementation of the AHN projects, in particular, road construction / improvement     of below Class III road (two narrow lanes with double bituminous treatment) sections of designated Transit Transport Routes (TTRs) of the AHN; and
3. Enhance road safety in ASEAN.

1. Maritime and air transport. Adopt the general principles and framework for an ASEAN Single Shipping Market and develop and implement the ASEAN Single Aviation Market.

Actions:

1. Implement relevant International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions;
2. Implement the Roadmap towards an Integrated and Competitive Maritime Transport in ASEAN;
3. Implement the ASEAN Open Sky Policy (Roadmap for Integration of the Air Travel Sector); and
4. Implement the ASEAN Single Aviation Market.

1. Information Infrastructure. A secure and connected information infrastructure is important for sustaining the region’s economic growth and competitiveness. Efforts have been made to facilitate interconnectivity and technical interoperability among ICT systems, leveraging on existing national networks and evolving these into a regional information infrastructure. Equal emphasis has been given to improving trust and confidence in the use of the Internet and security of electronic transactions, payments and   settlements.

1. Develop high-speed inter-connections among all national information infrastructures (NII).

Actions:

1. Facilitate high-speed connection among all national information infrastructure by 2010 and implement ICT measures as identified in the VAP;
2. Intensify capacity building and training programmes for national Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and strengthen its capacity, cooperation and the coverage of the region’s cyber- security network, including expanding the ASEAN CERT Incident Drills to include ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners in 2007;
3. Encourage the participation of all stakeholders (people, communities, enterprises and public administrations) in utilisation and development of ICT applications and services on the regional information infrastructure;
4. Support sectoral ICT applications (initially in key sectors such as customs, logistics, transport, content industry) to improve their effectiveness and  productivity;
5. Expand the number of ASEAN countries participating in the ASEAN MRA for telecommunications equipment; and
6. Deepen regional policy and regulatory framework to deal with the opportunities and challenges in the area of Next Generation Networks, including the interoperability of products/services, information systems and networks in the convergence environment.

1. Energy Cooperation. Secure and reliable supply of energy including bio-fuel is crucial to support and sustain economic and industrial activities. Regional collaboration in the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP) and the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) Projects allows the optimisation of the region’s energy resources for greater security. These projects also provide opportunities for private sector involvement in terms of investment, including financing, and technology transfer. Interconnected networks of electricity grids and gas pipelines offer significant benefits both in terms of security, flexibility and quality of energy supply.

1. Expedite the development of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline (TAGP). The APG involves 14 electricity interconnection projects and the TAGP, seven gas interconnection projects.

Actions:

1. Accelerate implementation of the APG and TAGP;
2. Promote greater involvement of private sectors in APG and TAGP; and
3. Finalise the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement to enhance oil and gas security in the region;

1. While ASEAN strive towards accelerating the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015, it is important to ensure that such development is sustainable through, among others, mitigating greenhouse gas emission by means of effective policies and measures, thus contributing to global climate change abatement. Recognising the limited global reserve of fossil energy and the unstable world prices of fuel oil, it is essential for ASEAN to emphasise the need to strengthen renewable energy development, such as bio-fuels, as well as to promote open trade, facilitation and cooperation in the renewable energy sector and related industries as well as investment in the requisite infrastructure for renewable energy development.

1. Mining cooperation. Enhance trade and investment and strengthen cooperation and capacity in geological and mineral sector for sustainable mineral development in the ASEAN region.

Actions:

1. Facilitate and enhance trade and investment in minerals;
2. Intensify institutional and human capacity building in ASEAN geological and mineral  sector;
3. Promote environmentally and socially sustainable mineral development; and
4. Encourage the participation of the private sector in mineral  development.

1. Financing of Infrastructure Projects. Financing is always recognised as an important contributor to economic growth. As ASEAN accelerates its economic integration efforts, greater investment will be needed particularly in the development of regional infrastructure. Putting in place innovative financing schemes to attract greater private sector involvement is thus  important.

Actions:

1. Promote greater participation of private sectors and international organisations in financing regional infrastructure development such as the APG, TAGP, SKRL and ASEAN Highway Network; and
2. Remove or relax impediments to cross-border investment in/financing of regional infrastructure projects.

B.5.     TAxATION

1. Actions:
   1. Complete the network of bilateral agreements on avoidance of double taxation among all Member Countries by 2010, to the extent possible.

B.6.     E-COMMERCE

1. To lay the policy and legal infrastructure for electronic commerce and enable on-line trade in goods (e-commerce) within ASEAN through the implementation of the e-ASEAN Framework Agreement and based on common reference frameworks.

Actions:

1. Adopt best practices in implementing telecommunications competition policies and fostering the preparation of domestic legislation on  e-commerce;
2. Harmonise the legal infrastructure for electronic contracting and dispute  resolution;
3. Develop and implement better  practice  guidelines  for  electronic  contracting,  guiding  principles for online dispute resolution services, and mutual recognition framework for digital signatures in ASEAN;
4. Facilitate mutual recognition of digital signatures in ASEAN;
5. Study and encourage the adoption of the best practices and guidelines of regulations and/or standards based on a common framework;  and
6. Establish a networking forum between the businesses in ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners as a platform for promoting trade and  investment.

1. EqUITABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

C.1.     SME DEVELOPMENT

1. The ASEAN Policy Blueprint for SME Development (APBSD) 2004-2014 outlines the framework for SME development in the ASEAN region. It comprises strategic work programmes, policy measures and indicative outputs. Its objectives are  to:

(a)       Accelerate the pace of SME development, optimising on the diversities of ASEAN Member Countries;

(b)       Enhance the competitiveness and dynamism of ASEAN SMEs by facilitating their access to information, market, human resource development and skills, finance as well as technology;

(c)       Strengthen the resilience of ASEAN SMEs to better withstand adverse macroeconomic and financial difficulties, as well as the challenges of a more liberalised trading environment; and

(d)       Increase the contribution of SMEs to the overall economic growth and development of ASEAN as a region.

Actions:

1. Timely implementation of the ASEAN Policy Blueprint for SME Development 2004-2014 (APBSD);
2. Promote networking of SMEs and their participation in the building of regional production and distributions networks; and
3. Promote best practices in SME development, including SME  financing.

C.2.     INITIATIVE FOR ASEAN INTEGRATION (IAI)

1. Given the different levels of development among ASEAN Member Countries, there arises the need       to ensure the deepening and broadening integration of ASEAN is accompanied by technical and development cooperation to address the development divide and accelerate the economic integration

of the less developed ASEAN Member Countries so that the benefits of ASEAN integration are shared and enjoyed by all ASEAN Member Countries. This would allow ASEAN Member Countries to move in a unified manner.

1. The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), launched in November 2000, gives the direction and sharpens the focus of collective efforts to narrow the development gap not only within ASEAN but between ASEAN and other parts of the world as well. The IAI currently covers the following priority areas,  namely infrastructure, human resource development, information and communications technologies (ICT), capacity building for regional economic integration, energy, investment climate, tourism, poverty reduction and improvement in the quality of  life.

1. Meeting the AEC challenge will require CLMV to develop policy to enhance economic growth, strengthen economic competitiveness, increase domestic and foreign direct investments, expand private sector enterprises while meeting its public goals.

Actions:

1. Enhance the IAI to serve as the platform for identifying and implementing technical assistance and capacity building programmes for both public and private sectors in ASEAN Member Countries, in particular, CLMV and the other sub-regional arrangements such as the IMT-GT and the BIMP-EAGA within ASEAN to allow them to be equal partners in the development of regional production and distribution networks;
2. ASEAN-6 to continue its support for IAI programmes;
3. Garner sufficient support from dialogue partners and international organisations such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank for effective implementation of the IAI  programmes;
4. Build/strengthen capacity of government officials to develop/implement economic and social policies that would mitigate the effects of economic integration;  and
5. Conduct periodic socio-economic studies to monitor/evaluate the impact of economic integration.

1. INTEGRATION INTO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

1. ASEAN operates in an increasingly global environment, with interdependent markets and globalised industries. In order to enable ASEAN businesses to compete internationally, to make ASEAN a more dynamic and stronger segment of the global supply chain and to ensure that the internal market remains attractive for foreign investment, it is crucial for ASEAN to look beyond the borders of AEC. External rules and regulations must increasingly be taken into account when developing policies related to  AEC.

D.1.              COHERENT APPROACH TOWARDS ExTERNAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS

1. ASEAN shall work towards maintaining “ASEAN Centrality” in its external economic relations, including, but not limited to, its negotiations for free trade (FTAs) and comprehensive economic partnership (CEPs) agreements. This shall be done by:

Actions:

1. Review FTA/CEP commitments vis-à-vis ASEAN’s internal integration commitments;  and
2. Establish a system for enhanced coordination, and possibly arriving at common approaches and/or positions in ASEAN’s external economic relations and in regional and multilateral fora.

D.2.              ENHANCED PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL SUPPLY NETWORKS

1. ASEAN shall also enhance participation in global supply networks by: Actions:
   1. Continuing the adoption of international best practices and standards in production and distribution, where possible; and
   2. Developing a comprehensive package of technical assistance for the less developed ASEAN Member Countries to upgrade their industrial capability and productivity to enhance their participation in regional and global integration initiatives.

III.          IMPLEMENTATION

1. A strategic schedule that includes key milestones for a comprehensive and deeper economic integration shall form an integral part of this Blueprint. Consultations have been made with relevant bodies/ stakeholders to invite their inputs and coordinating conferences were held to jointly review the Blueprint and its strategic schedule among all stakeholders to ensure consistency of the above measures, programmes and milestones across sectors and promote greater sense of ownership of the  Blueprint.

1. Relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies will coordinate the implementation of the above programmes and measures while relevant government agencies will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and preparation of more detailed action plans at the national level. Partnership arrangements with the private sector, industry associations and the wider community at the regional and national levels will also be actively sought where required to ensure participation of all stakeholders in the integration  process.

1. For the successful implementation of these programmes and measures, the necessary institutions or mechanisms, resources, capacity and political will be accorded to the Community building   process.

1. IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM

1. Relevant sectoral Ministerial bodies shall be responsible for the implementation of the Blueprint and monitoring of commitments under their respective purview. The ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM), as the Ministers-in-Charge of Economic Integration in the Council of ASEAN Economic Community, shall be accountable for the overall implementation of the  Blueprint.

1. To allow for effective implementation of the Blueprint, the following measures on charting strategic directions and coordination shall be  implemented.

Actions:

1. The HLTF shall provide strategic inputs to the AEM on issues affecting the timely implementation of the Blueprint;
2. Undertake regular consultations with various sectoral bodies to discuss and elicit feedback on implementation issues of the Blueprint; and
3. The Secretary-General of ASEAN shall report the progress of AEC to relevant ministerial meetings and the Summit.

1. In enhancing the  implementation  arrangements  and  streamlining  the  decision-making  process  of  all ASEAN economic initiatives identified in the Blueprint and beyond, the following measures are recommended:

1. Promote transparency and improve the operation of notification procedures under all ASEAN economic agreements through the Protocol on Notification  Procedures;
2. Ratification of ASEAN legal instruments shall be made within six months of  signing;
3. Decision-making process by economic bodies to be made by consensus, and where there is no consensus, ASEAN to consider other options with the objective of expediting the decision-making process;
4. Utilise the Enhanced Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) to promote a rules-based  community;
5. The ASEAN Minus X formula can be invoked to accelerate the implementation of agreed economic initiatives; and
6. Flexibility should be accorded in the implementation of AEC, which shall be pre-agreed and not delay the overall progress and implementation of the AEC.

1. Progress in the implementation of the above programmes and measures for AEC building by Member Countries needs to be monitored, reviewed and disseminated to all stakeholders. The ASEAN Secretariat shall review and monitor compliance of implementing the  Blueprint.

Action:

1. Develop and maintain a set of statistical indicators, including an integrated tariff and trade data database system, address harmonisation of statistics and data quality issues, and the AEC scorecards, to monitor and assess the progress of implementation of each element of the  AEC.

1. For the financial sector,

1. Establish an appropriate implementation mechanism in the form of regular progress reports to the Leaders.

1. RESOURCES

1. Research and capacity building support is to be mobilised from various  facilities.

Actions:

1. The ASEAN Development Fund, with contributions from Member Countries, will be a vehicle to draw resources from other ASEAN and non-ASEAN sources;
2. Identify and implement technical studies or training programmes on issues, areas or topics where analytical as well as capacity building support are needed to facilitate the implementation of the AEC Blueprint;
3. Translate milestones and targets of the AEC Blueprint into national milestones and targets and incorporate them in their national development  plans;
4. Promote the participation of the ADB, World Bank/IFC, dialogue or trading partners and the private sector in the development of regional infrastructure  projects;
5. Strengthen the research and planning capabilities of the ASEAN Secretariat in areas relevant to the AEC;
6. Strengthen the research capabilities and human capital development of each ASEAN Member Country; and

1. Establish appropriate capacity building programmes to assist newer member countries to enhance the development and regulatory frameworks of their financial  markets.

1. COMMUNICATIONS

1. Success of building the AEC requires involvement by all stakeholders in the integration process. In addition to involving all stakeholders in the formulation of the Blueprint, a good communications programme is required to create greater public awareness of the AEC in all ASEAN countries as well   as to keep all stakeholders, including the business communities and people of ASEAN, informed of the progress of this community  building.

Actions:

1. Launch a comprehensive communications plan to explain to the government officials, key stakeholders and the general public the objectives, benefits and challenges of the  AEC;
2. Develop a regional platform for open discussion and sharing information in implementing the ASEAN Economic Community;
3. Member Countries shall set up a mechanism at the national level to regularly report the outcome and issues of the integration process; and
4. Create an AEC communications website that would provide an additional channel to reach communities at large, where stakeholders can provide feedback and respond to ASEAN economic initiatives.

1. REVIEW

1. The AEC Blueprint shall be reviewed periodically taking into account dynamic regional and global developments.

ghgh

Strategic Schedule for ASEAN Economic Community

1      ASEAN-6 and Viet Nam have completed their tariff reduction schedule in 2003 and 2006 respectively

2      ASEAN-6 and Viet Nam have reached their 60% tariff elimination in 2003 and 2006 respectively.

3      ASEAN-6 has completed its tariff reduction for all ICT products in  2005

Strategic Approach

A2. Free Flows of Services

Priority Actions

2008-2009 2010-2011 2012-2013 2014-2015

• Services Liberalisation under AFAS4

• Schedule at least 10 new sub-sectors (2008)
• No restrictions for Modes 1 and 2, with exceptions due to bona fide regulatory reasons (2008)
• At least 51% foreign equity participation for the 4 priority services sectors, (2008)
• At least 49% foreign equity participation for logistics services, (2008)

• Remove substantially all restrictions on trade in services for the 4 priority services sectors (2010)
• Schedule at least 15 new sub-sectors (2010)

• At least 70% foreign equity participation for the 4 priority services sectors, (2010)
• At least 51% foreign equity participation for logistics services, (2010)

• Remove substantially all restrictions on trade in services for logistics services by 2013.
• Schedule at least 20 new sub-sectors (2012)

• At least 70% foreign equity participation for logistics services, (2013)

• Remove substantially all restrictions on trade in services for all other services sectors by 2015.
• Schedule at least 20 (2014) and 7 (2015) new sub-sectors

• Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs)
• At least 49% foreign equity participation for other services sectors, (2008).
• Progressively remove market access limitations for Mode 3 as endorsed by the AEM.
• Complete the compilation of an inventory of barriers to services by August 2008.
• Set the parameters of liberalisation for national treatment limitations,   Mode 4  and  limitations in the horizontal commitments for each round (2009)

• Complete MRAs currently under negotiation, i.e. architectural services, accountancy services, surveying qualifications, medical practitioners, and dental practitioners (2008).
• At least 51% foreign                 

equity participation for other services sectors, (2010);

• Schedule commitments according to agreed parameters for national treatment limitations, Mode 4 and limitations  in the horizontal commitments set in 2009.
  • Identify and develop MRAs for other professional services by 2012
    • At least 70% foreign equity participation for all services sectors, (2015).

• Full implementation of completed MRAs (2015).

4      The approaches shall be subject to flexibility as provided in the  Blueprint

5      Members may maintain restrictions as negotiated and agreed in the list of “pre-agreed flexibilities” for   2015.

6      Members may maintain restrictions as negotiated and agreed in the list of “pre-agreed flexibilities” for   2020.

Annex 1

Financial Services Sub-sectors Identified for Liberalisation by 2015

ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community  Blueprint

1. INTRODUCTION

1. The ASEAN Leaders adopted the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II) in Bali, Indonesia on 7 October 2003 to establish an ASEAN Community by 2020. The ASEAN Community shall be established comprising three pillars, namely political and security community, economic community, and socio- cultural community that are closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing for the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.
2. At the 12th ASEAN Summit on 13th January 2007 in Cebu, the Philippines the Leaders, affirming their strong commitment to accelerate the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015, signed the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of an ASEAN Community by 2015.
3. The 13th ASEAN Summit held in Singapore on 20th November 2007, agreed to develop an ASCC Blueprint to ensure that concrete actions are undertaken to promote the establishment of an ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

II.CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS

1. The primary goal of the ASCC is to contribute to realising an ASEAN Community that is people-centred and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the nations and peoples of ASEAN by forging a common identity and building a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are  enhanced.
2. The ASCC will address the region’s aspiration to lift the quality of life of its peoples through cooperative activities that are people-oriented and environmentally friendly geared towards the promotion of sustainable development. The ASCC shall contribute to building a strong foundation for greater understanding, good neighbourliness, and a shared sense of responsibility.
3. The ASCC is characterised by a culture of regional resilience, adherence to agreed principles, spirit of cooperation, collective responsibility, to promote human and social development, respect for fundamental freedoms, gender equality, the promotion and protection of human rights and the promotion of social justice.
4. The ASCC shall respect the different cultures, languages, and religions of the peoples of ASEAN emphasise their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity and adapt them to present realities, opportunities and challenges.
5. The ASCC will also focus on the social dimension of Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) towards bridging the development gap among Member  States.
6. Based on the above, the ASCC envisages the following characteristics: (a) Human Development; (b) Social Welfare and Protection; (c) Social Justice and Rights; (d) Ensuring Environmental Sustainability (e) Building the ASEAN Identity; and (f) Narrowing the Development Gap.

1. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

1. ASEAN will enhance the well-being and livelihood of the peoples of ASEAN by providing them with equitable access to human development opportunities by promoting and investing in education and life- long learning, human resource training and capacity building, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, promote the use of English language, ICT and applied science and technology in socio-economic development activities.

A.1.               ADVANCING AND PRIORITISING EDUCATION

1. Strategic Objective: Ensuring the integration of education priorities into ASEAN’s development agenda and creating a knowledge based society; achieving universal access to primary education; promoting early child care and development; and enhancing awareness of ASEAN to youths through education and activities to build an ASEAN identity based on friendship and  cooperation.

Actions:

1. Achieve universal access to primary education across ASEAN by 2015 with priorities to eradicate illiteracy and to ensure compulsory primary education for all and gender equality in education, through advocating for equal opportunity in education regardless of social class, geography ethnicity, background or physical disabilities, with 70 percent target benchmark achieved by the end of  2011;
2. Improve the quality and adaptability of education, including technical/vocational/skills training education in the ASEAN region by developing a technical assistance programme including training for teaching staff and staff exchange programme at higher education level for this purpose by 2009, in particular CLMV;
3. Undertake periodic reviews of the various ASEAN scholarship programmes for the purpose of rationalizing and consolidating them in order to increase their  impact;
4. Use ICT to promote education and life-long learning particularly in underserved communities through open, distance education and e-learning;
5. Promote education networking in various levels of educational institutions and continue university networking and enhance and support student and staff exchanges and professional interactions including creating research clusters among ASEAN institutions of higher learning, in close collaboration with the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and the ASEAN University Network (AUN);
6. Promote equal access to education for women and girls and enhance the exchange of best practices on gender-sensitive school curriculum;
7. Strengthen collaboration with other regional and international educational organisations to enhance the quality of education in the region;
8. Include the teaching of common values and cultural heritage in school curricula and develop teaching materials and capability for this purpose starting in  2008;
9. Develop and offer courses on ASEAN studies, both in the primary, secondary and higher education levels;
10. Continue the ASEAN Youth Leadership Development Programme and similar programmes with the same objectives and encourage networking among ASEAN Youth Programme alumni to promote solidarity and mutual understanding;

1. Support learning of ASEAN languages and promote exchanges of linguists;
2. Establish ASEAN university games, ASEAN youth peace corps, ASEAN computer games and ASEAN Science Olympiad to promote greater interaction and understanding among the youths in the region;
3. Continue implementing youth awards programme such as the ASEAN Youth Day Award and Ten Accomplished Youth Organisations in ASEAN (TAYO ASEAN) to recognise outstanding individuals and youth organisations significantly contributing to the promotion of ASEAN ideas and values among the youth across the region;
4. Work towards the establishment of an ASEAN Youth Programme Fund to fund the various youth projects and activities in ASEAN;
5. Establish platforms for networking and sharing of best practises on ASEAN children and youth development strategies and tools;
6. Exchange of cultural performers and scholars among Member States through education system to give greater access and understanding of the different cultures of ASEAN Member States;
7. Promote the options of university placements in an institution of higher learning in a second ASEAN Member State through “a semester abroad” or “a year abroad”   programme;
8. Support the citizens of Member States to become proficient in the English language, so that the citizens of the ASEAN region are able to communicate directly with one another and participate in the broader international community;
9. Promote life-long learning;
10. Work towards the establishment of an ASEAN Youth Development Index to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of youth programmes in the region and to assist Member States in planning new youth interventions; and
11. Promote early child care development through sharing of best practices, experiences and capacity building.

A.2.               INVESTING IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

1. Strategic Objective: Enhance and improve the capacity of ASEAN human resource through strategic programmes and develop a qualified, competent and well-prepared ASEAN labour force that would benefit from as well as cope with the challenges of regional  integration.

Actions:

1. Undertake a survey by 2009 and work to strengthen the existing centres of excellence in the field of human resource development in the ASEAN region;
2. Promote the use of English as an international business language at the work place;
3. Undertake assessments to identify gaps in training needs in ASEAN, particularly in the CLMV in order to develop joint technical cooperation programmes for the   workforce;
4. Enhance the IT skills of the workforce in ASEAN through joint training programmes and courses;
5. Develop gender-responsive skills training programmes for trainers in ASEAN Member States in particular the CLMV by 2010;
6. Design and implement training programmes to address the needs of high value-added industries that enhance ASEAN global competitiveness;
7. Develop a consolidated plan for regional cooperation for skills development for women, youth, and persons with disabilities; and
8. Conduct ASEAN Skill Competition regularly to support ASEAN workforce development, particularly its effort to achieve regional standard competency.

A.3.              PROMOTION OF DECENT WORK

1. Strategic Objective: Incorporating decent work principles in ASEAN work culture, safety and health at work place and ensuring that the promotion of entrepreneurship becomes an integral part of ASEAN’s employment policy to achieve a forward-looking employment  strategy.

Actions:

1. Enhance capacity of governments to monitor labour markets and human resource indicators, and design social impact policies;
2. Establish national skills frameworks as an incremental approach towards an ASEAN skills recognition framework;
3. Endeavour to build an ASEAN network of experts in industrial relations to assist in promoting sound industrial relations, industrial harmony, higher productivity and decent work by 2010;  and
4. Implement the Plan of Action on National Occupational Safety and Health Frameworks for ASEAN as affirmed by the ASEAN-OSHNET.

A.4.               PROMOTING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

1. Strategic Objective: Implement human resource development programme which will facilitate the implementation of regional ICT initiatives.

Actions:

1. Implement capacity building programmes to increase ICT literacy in ASEAN, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities;
2. Promote positive use of ICT in particular the Internet;
3. Encourage the introduction of ICT at all levels of education;
4. Initiate the early use of ICT at the primary school;
5. Enhance the use of ICT to promote e-learning; and
6. Develop a workforce and manpower with high levels of ICT proficiency and  expertise.

A.5.              FACILITATING ACCESS TO APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (S&T)

1. Strategic Objective: Develop policies and mechanisms to support active cooperation in research, science and technology development, technology transfers and commercialisation and establishment of strong networks of scientific and technological institutions with the active participation of private sector and other relevant organisations.

Actions:

1. Establish a network of S&T centres of excellence to promote cooperation, sharing of research facilities, technology transfer and commercialisation, and joint research and technology development by 2011;
2. Strengthen collaborative research and development in applied S&T to enhance community well- being;
3. Facilitate the exchange and mobility of scientists and researchers from both public S&T institutions and private sector according to the respective laws, rules, regulation, and national  policies;
4. Establish strategic alliances with private sector to promote R&D collaboration and technology transfer and commercialisation;

1. Establish ASEAN scholarship and fellowship opportunities to support the ASEAN Virtual Institute of Science and Technology (AVIST) and other related science activities;
2. Heighten the awareness on applied S&T for sustainable development; Develop a core set of S&T indicators that can serve as input in the development of human resource strategies by economic and industry planners;
3. Enhance and sustain the utilization of the ASEAN Science and Technology Network (ASTNET) and other S&T networks; and
4. Promote the development, use and sharing of digital content among ASEAN Member  States.

A.6.              STRENGTHENING ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS FOR WOMEN, YOUTH, ELDERLY AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

1. Strategic Objective: Increasing the participation of women, youth, elderly, persons with disabilities, vulnerable and marginalised groups in the productive workforce by enhancing their entrepreneurial skills, particularly to improve their social well-being and contribute towards national development and regional economic integration.

Actions:

1. Establish an ASEAN Forum on Youth Entrepreneurship under the joint auspices of labour, youth and education sectoral bodies by 2009;
2. Establish a women entrepreneurship network by 2010 and create favourable conditions for women entrepreneurs in the region, including by providing at the national level, access to micro credit, technology, trainings, markets and social protection services;  and
3. Build an ASEAN network of experts on entrepreneurship to, among others, conduct skills training for out-of-school youths, the elderly and persons with disabilities by   2010.

A.7.               BUILDING CIVIL SERVICE CAPABILITY

1. Strategic Objective: Establish effective, efficient, transparent, responsive and accountable civil service systems through increased capacity-building, enhancement of public human resource competencies among ASEAN bureaucracies, and increased collaboration among ASEAN Member States.

Actions:

1. Develop strategies for the implementation of the ASEAN Conference on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) Work Plan (2008-2012) by 2009;
2. The ACCSM to promote ASEAN collaboration in the promotion of effective and efficient Civil Service, public accountability and good governance, and hold workshops in these fields on annual basis, starting in 2008;
3. Strengthen the capability of ASEAN Resource Centres under the auspices of the ACCSM to develop and conduct training programmes designed to assist all Member  States;
4. Develop a pool of experts/trainers who will serve as resource persons in civil service capacity- building and training programmes;
5. Develop training designs, manuals, and modules along Gender and Development (GAD), and Ethical and Good Governance for sharing with ASEAN countries;
6. Develop and conduct competency-based training programmes for sharing among ASEAN civil service systems under the auspices of the ACCSM;

1. Strengthen collaboration in realising the development of efficient, effective, capable, accountable and responsive Civil Service in ASEAN through the activities of the ASEAN Resource Centres (ARCs), ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, and other regional activities that support the implementation of the ACCSM priority areas;
2. Institute policies and programmes and undertake sustained campaigns in the civil service to implement the ACCSM Work Plan (2008-2012) in order to promote transparency, honesty, environmental concern, respect for human rights and gender equality, and priority attention and action for the poor and needy, among ASEAN public servants, who should be leading agents and advocates of the goals and ideals of the ASCC;
3. Enhance and establish mechanisms for effective and efficient public services, including service standards, citizens feedback procedures, and output-based performance rating systems;   and
4. Expand the role of civil society and citizens groups in integrity efforts and  governance.

1. SOCIAL WELFARE AND PROTECTION

1. ASEAN is committed to enhancing the well-being and the livelihood of the peoples of ASEAN through alleviating poverty, ensuring social welfare and protection, building a safe, secure and drug free environment, enhancing disaster resilience and addressing health development concerns.

B.1.              POVERTY ALLEVIATION

1. Strategic Objective: Fully address socio-economic disparities and poverty that persist across ASEAN Member States including achieving the MDG goal of eradicating extreme poverty and  hunger.

Actions:

1. Develop and implement an ASEAN Roadmap towards realising the UN Millennium Development Goals in consultation among concerned sectoral bodies with a view to identify and extend technical assistance required in the field of poverty reduction;
2. Support ASEAN Member States’ community-driven initiatives for poverty reduction towards narrowing the development gap within ASEAN;
3. Intensify efforts to implement projects related to poverty alleviation particularly in area of rural infrastructure, water supply, sanitation under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration and other sub- regional cooperation frameworks;
4. Improve ASEAN capacity in simple and applicable assessment and monitoring poverty reduction strategies through a targeting system that ensures low exclusion and leakage rates;
5. Families living under poverty to be aided with appropriate support system to enable them to become self-reliant;
6. Strengthen ASEAN cooperation in microfinance, including strengthening cooperation and networking between microfinance institutions in poverty-stricken areas with due regard to local values and traditions as well as addressing the phenomenon of the feminisation of  poverty;
7. Work towards the establishment of an ASEAN data bank on poverty incidence and poverty reduction programme, which can be shared among Member States;
8. Continue sharing experiences and best practices through regular holding of workshops and seminars on poverty alleviation in ASEAN Member States and its dialogue partners;
9. Establish an ASEAN Network for Family Development; and
10. Facilitate the rural volunteers movement and the exchange of young professional in rural development in ASEAN.

B.2.              SOCIAL SAFETY NET AND PROTECTION FROM THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF INTEGRATION AND GLOBALIZATION

1. Strategic Objective: Ensure that all ASEAN peoples are provided with social welfare and protection from the possible negative impacts of globalisation and integration by improving the quality, coverage and sustainability of social protection and increasing the capacity of social risk   management.

Actions:

1. Undertake a survey of existing social protection regimes in ASEAN;
2. Enhance exchange of best practices in social security  systems;
3. Include social protection in ASEAN’s cooperation in progressive labour  practices;
4. Explore the establishment of the social insurance system to cover the informal  sector;
5. Establish a network of social protection agencies to promote the well-being and living conditions     of the poor, vulnerable, underserved and disadvantaged groups affected by adverse impacts of integration process and globalisation;
6. Study on enhancement of support for natural disaster risk safety mechanism in agriculture, forestry and fisheries;
7. Conduct research studies on the impact of economic integration and globalisation from gender perspective in order to have concrete bases in formulating appropriate gender-responsive interventions;
8. Develop appropriate actions and preventive measures against the use of the internet and pornography which exploit women, children, and other vulnerable  groups;
9. Develop appropriate actions and preventive measures against the use of the internet to disrupt social harmony by inciting hatred, discrimination, and intolerance;  and
10. Strengthen ASEAN cooperation in protecting female migrant workers

B.3.             ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY AND SAFETY

1. Strategic Objective: Ensure adequate access to food at all times for all ASEAN peoples and ensure food safety in ASEAN Member States.

Actions:

1. Harmonise national food safety regulations with internationally-accepted standard, including quarantine and inspection procedures for the movement of plants, animals, and their   products;
2. Strengthen the work of ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Food Safety to better coordinate all ASEAN Food bodies/subsidiaries, and the implementation of their work  programmes;
3. Promote production of safe and healthy food by producers at all  levels;
4. Develop model food legislative framework and guidelines and strengthen food inspection and certification system from farm to table in ASEAN Member  States;
5. Develop further the competency of existing network of food laboratories in ASEAN to facilitate the exchange of information, findings, experiences, and best practices relating food laboratories works and new technology;
6. Strengthen the capability of ASEAN Member States to conduct risk  analysis;
7. Enhance consumer participation and empowerment in food  safety;
8. Enhance the roles of ASEAN Food Security Reserve Board (AFSRB) as well as increase regional staple food reserves;
9. Strengthen the cooperation with regional and international institutions including private organisations to secure food for the region;
10. Establish a network to enhance intra and extra ASEAN food trade cooperation to ensure stability in regional food distribution;
11. Ensure that food is available at all times for all ASEAN citizens;
12. Encourage the application of environmentally sound technologies in farming and food  processing;
13. Improve the quality of surveillance and the effectiveness of responses to food-borne diseases and food poisoning outbreaks through, among others, information sharing and exchange of  expertise;
14. Enhance advocacy to promote production of safe and healthy food by producers and education and communication to communities for empowerment in food   safety;
15. Provide opportunities such as forums, meetings to facilitate coordinated actions among stakeholders geared for promotion of food security and safety;  and
16. Integrate these actions into a comprehensive plan of action with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes.

B.6.             ENSURING A DRUG-FREE ASEAN

1. Strategic Objective: Reduce significantly, the overall prevalence of illicit drug abuse in the general population, in particular students, youth and those in high-risk and vulnerable groups through preventive measures and by increasing access to treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare services to ensure full re- integration into society as well as through enhanced partnership between the public and private sectors and civil society organizations.

Actions:

1. Develop and widely implement family, school, workplace and community-based drug prevention and drug abuse control programmes;
2. Promoting civic awareness and social response by proactively advocating advocacy against the damage and dangers of drugs;
3. Reducing illicit consumption of drugs by building consensus and sharing of best practices in drug demand reduction programmes;
4. Sharing of drug research data among ASEAN Member States;
5. Develop technical assistance that would help concerned countries identify alternative crops as substitute to illicit drug crops and institute sustainable policy   reforms;
6. Promote wider access to markets for alternative development (AD) products within the region consistent with national and international obligations and treaties applicable multilateral trade  rules;
7. Facilitate the establishment and maintenance of treatment and rehabilitation centre in any ASEAN Member States;
8. Exchange of experience, expertise and best practice and lessons learned on the prevention and treatment of and aftercare drug users/addicts among both public and community-based organisations and NGOs; and
9. Strengthen capacities of drug demand reduction workers and drug control officers; and develop  pool of experts and trainers in the fields of drug demand reduction and drug control   programme.

B.7.              BUILDING DISASTER-RESILIENT NATIONS AND SAFER COMMUNITIES

1. Strategic Objective: Strengthen effective mechanisms and capabilities to prevent and reduce disaster losses in lives, and in social, economic, and environmental assets of ASEAN Member States and to jointly respond to disaster emergencies through concerted national efforts and intensified regional and international cooperation.

Actions:

1. Fully implement the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response by 2015;
2. Support the establishment and operationalisation of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) to facilitate cooperation and coordination among ASEAN Member States and with relevant UN agencies and international organisations;
3. Institutionalise capacity building programmes in areas of priority concern of Member States by the year 2015, and promote technical cooperation, joint research and networking to increase the capacity and capability of Member States in responding to disasters and reducing losses from  disasters;
4. Establish a fully functioning ASEAN Disaster Information Sharing and Communication Network by the year 2010, to promote sharing of information and best practices and facilitate decision making process;
5. Implement or enhance public awareness and education programmes on a regular basis, and promote public participation in programmes related to disaster risk reduction and emergency response in order to promote community resilience to  disasters;
6. Promote partnership with relevant stakeholders, including local communities, non-governmental organisations and private enterprises, and strengthen cooperation with United Nations and relevant international organisations;
7. Carry both national and ASEAN flag or logo to promote the visibility of ASEAN among the first responders engaged in humanitarian missions;
8. Promote sustainable livelihood options through socio-economic development activities to minimise disaster risks and enhance community-coping  capacities;
9. Strengthen community-based disaster preparedness and participation through promotion of indigenous knowledge and practices, implementation of public awareness and education and sharing of best practices and lessons learnt to build a disaster-resilient  community;
10. Promote wider utilisation of services of existing regional facilities, such as ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) and ASEAN Earthquake Information Centre (AEIC), in providing early warning information and technical advisories to enhance regional disaster  preparedness;
11. Establish an ASEAN volunteer programme to assist disaster stricken areas which will also enhance ASEAN togetherness; and
12. Promote multi-sectoral coordination and planning on Pandemic Preparedness and Response at    the regional level including development of a regional Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan.

1. SOCIAL JUSTICE AND RIGHTS

1. ASEAN is committed to promoting social justice and mainstreaming people’s rights into its policies and all spheres of life, including the rights and welfare of disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised groups such as women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and migrant  workers.

C.1.              PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF WOMEN, CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

1. Strategic Objective: Safeguard the interests and rights as well as provide equal opportunities, and raise the quality of life and standard of living, for women, children, the elderly, and persons with  disabilities.

Actions:

1. Work towards the establishment of an ASEAN commission on the promotion and protection of the rights of women and children;
2. Continue to implement the Work Plan to Operationalise the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in the ASEAN Region;
3. Implement programmes on child survival, development and protection consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
4. Establish an ASEAN network of social workers by 2013;
5. Conduct regional capacity building programmes on social services and rehabilitation for persons with disabilities;
6. Support activities in promoting and developing care and welfare and the quality of life and well being of the elderly, persons with disabilities, women and children living under poverty, vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including by exchanging best practices in all related fields such as accessibility, rehabilitation, protection and care including medical care. This should also include volunteer home- based care and all other forms of alternative family and community care  arrangements;
7. Enhance support and commitment to improve social protection for the elderly in ASEAN Member States, through networking, and exchange of  information;
8. Develop social security standards in each ASEAN Member States;
9. Facilitate and exchange research and studies in gerontology and medicine for the elderly;
10. Use sex-disaggregated data, among others, to promote awareness on gender equality, women’s role and contribution in the development of the region at the policy  level;
11. Promote and enhance the percentage of women’s participation in all fields and at all levels, including political, decision-making as well as socio-economic empowerment of   women;
12. Incorporate a gender perspective into national and regional policies and enhance the participation of women in programmes and projects;
13. Promote and encourage participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making and recognise their accomplishments;
14. Develop and implement programme to assist children living under disadvantaged and vulnerable conditions; and
15. Establish an ASEAN Consortium of Social Welfare Practitioners, Educators and Schools of Social Work.

C.2.              PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANT WORKERS

1. Strategic Objective: Ensure fair and comprehensive migration policies and adequate protection for all migrant workers in accordance with the laws, regulations and policies of respective ASEAN Member States as well as implement the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers1.

Actions:

1. Operationalise the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of Rights of Migrant Workers under the auspices of the SLOM to implement the provisions of the Declaration and work towards the development of an ASEAN instrument on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant  workers;
2. Institutionalise and convene on a regular basis the ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour as a platform for broad-based discussions on migrant labour issues under the auspices of the Committee, which reports to SLOM;
3. Promote fair and appropriate employment protection payment of wages and adequate access to decent working and living conditions for migrant workers and provide migrant workers, who may be victims of discrimination, abuse, exploitation, violence, with adequate access to the legal and judicial system of the receiving states;
4. Intensify efforts to protect the fundamental human rights, promote the welfare and uphold human dignity of migrant workers by, among others, facilitating the exercise of consular functions to consular or diplomatic authorities of states of origin when a migrant workers is arrested or committed to prison or custody or detained in any other manner, under the laws and regulation of the receiving state and in accordance with the Vienna Convention and Consular Relations;
5. Facilitate data-sharing on matters related to migrant workers for the purpose of enhancing policies and programmes concerning migrant workers in both sending and receiving  states;
6. Strengthen policies and procedures in the sending state to facilitate aspects of migration workers, including recruitment, preparation for deployment overseas and protection of the migrant workers when abroad as well as repatriation and reintegration to the countries of  origin;
7. Facilitate access to resources and remedies through information, training and education, access to justice, and social welfare services as appropriate and in accordance with the legislation and of the receiving state, provided that they fulfil the requirements under applicable laws, regulations, and policies of the said state, bilateral agreements and multilateral treaties;
8. Establish and promote legal practice of the sending state to regulate recruitment of migrant workers and adopt mechanisms to eliminate recruitment malpractices through legal and valid contracts, regulation, and accreditation of recruitment agencies and employers, and blacklisting of negligent/ unlawful agencies; and
9. Promote capacity building by sharing of information, best practises as well as opportunities and challenges in relation to protection and promotion of migrant workers’ rights and   welfare.

C.3.             PROMOTING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)

1. Strategic Objective: Ensure that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is incorporated in the corporate agenda and to contribute towards sustainable socio-economic development in ASEAN Member  States.

Actions:

1. Develop a model public policy on Corporate Social Responsibility or legal instrument for reference  of ASEAN Member States by 2010. Reference may be made to the relevant international standards and guides such as ISO 26000 titled “Guidance on Social  Responsibility"
2. Engage the private sector to support the activities of sectoral bodies and the ASEAN Foundation, in the field of corporate social  responsibility;
3. Encourage adoption and implementation of international standards on social responsibility;  and
4. Increase awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility in ASEAN towards sustainable relations between commercial activities and communities where they are located, in particular supporting community based development.

1. ENSURING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

1. ASEAN shall work towards achieving sustainable development as well as promoting clean and green environment by protecting the natural resource base for economic and social development including the sustainable management and conservation of soil, water, mineral, energy, biodiversity, forest, coastal and marine resources as well as the improvement in water and air quality for the ASEAN region. ASEAN will actively participate in global efforts towards addressing global environmental challenges, including climate change and the ozone layer protection, as well as developing and adapting environmentally- sound technology for development needs and environmental  sustainability.

D.1.              ADDRESSING GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

1. Strategic Objective: Effectively address global environmental issues without impinging on competitiveness, or social and economic development based on the principle of equity, flexibility, effectiveness and common but differentiated responsibility, respective capabilities as well as reflecting on different social and economic  conditions.

Actions:

1. Intensify regional cooperation to enhance and strengthen national and regional capacities to address issues and commitments to relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) through regional research, promoting awareness, capacity building programmes and informed policy  choices;
2. Promote synergies in the implementation of related MEAs through strengthening of regional cooperation to address measures related to the thematic clusters of MEAs on atmospheric issues such as climate change and ozone depleting substances, and MEAs on chemicals and chemical wastes;
3. Promote ASEAN common understanding/common position on relevant MEAs;  and
4. Adopt a holistic approach in fostering regional cooperation on environmental issues, with the participation of all relevant stakeholders including business, academics, NGOs and civil society organisations.

D.2.              MANAGING AND PREVENTING TRANSBOUNDARY ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

1. Strategic Objective: Implement measures and enhance international and regional cooperation to combat transboundary environmental pollution, including haze pollution, transboundary movement of hazardous wastes through, among others, capacity building, enhancing public awareness, strengthening law enforcement, promoting environmentally sustainable practices as well as implement the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution2.

D.2.1.      Transboundary Haze Pollution

Actions:

1. Operationalise the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution through the implementation of concrete preventive, monitoring and mitigation measures and to initiate the process of developing protocols for the implementation and operationalisation of the  Agreement;
2. Develop mutually beneficial cooperation amongst  ASEAN  Member  States  that  acknowledge  each country’s laws, rules, regulations, and national policies, whether it is multilateral or bilateral cooperation, which put more focus on prevention  activities;
3. Operationalise the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control to facilitate cooperation and coordination, including joint emergency response among Member  States;
4. Secure funds for the ASEAN Transboundary Haze Pollution Control Fund, with voluntary contributions from the Parties, and in cooperation with ASEAN partners to provide additional resources for the effective implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution; and
5. Control and monitor land and forest fire occurrence in the region and promote the sustainable management of peatlands in the ASEAN region to reduce risk of fire and associated transboundary haze pollution through the implementation of the ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative (APMI) by the year 2015.

D.2.2.      Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes

Actions:

1. Enhance regional coordination and exchange of information, experience and expertise in hazardous waste management;
2. Optimise the existence of Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for Southeast Asia (BCRC-SEA) and the role of its Steering Committee in providing regional services of technology transfer and capacity building of hazardous waste management;  and
3. Establish effective and fully functioning regional mechanisms to address transboundary hazardous wastes, including illegal traffic of hazardous wastes, in line with the Basel Convention Procedures and Modalities.

D.3.             PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

1. Strategic Objective: Establish a clean and green ASEAN, rich in cultural traditions where the values and practices of the people are in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature, with citizens who are environmentally literate, imbued with the environmental ethic, and willing and capable to ensure    the sustainable development of the region through environmental education and public participation efforts.

Actions:

1. Implement the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan (AEEAP) 2008-2012;
2. Establish a baseline assessment on the extent to which national curricula in the basic education system include Environmental Education (EE) and Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) content;
3. Establish a baseline assessment on the extent to which teacher education programmes and in- service and pre-service training address EE/ ESD theory and practice;
4. Ensure that Quality Assurance (QA) systems for formal education (that is, national standards) require the inclusion of EE/ ESD issues in the relevant disciplines;
5. Promote research on EE/ ESD issues to ensure continuing development in formal education;
6. Promote sustainable schools (for example, eco-schools/ green schools) concept and practice throughout ASEAN;
7. Develop EE curricula, materials and resources that are locally relevant and complement ESD at the local/ community level;
8. Promote EE as a key integrating tool for the development of ‘environmentally sustainable cities’ in each ASEAN Member State;
9. Use appropriately designed and targeted EE for promotion of environmentally sustainable business practices;
10. Promote ASEAN Environment Week which serves as platform for national level activities to celebrate and raise awareness of the region’s environment with all stakeholders in each of the ASEAN Member States;
11. Establish a baseline of EE for sustainable development training needs for stakeholders in both the formal and non-formal sectors;
12. Provide EE and ESD training opportunities for key stakeholders;
13. Provide ASEAN EE for Sustainable Development Leadership Training Programmes for key target groups (e.g., government officials, members of parliament and other elected officials, media and communication professionals, youth, women,  etc.);
14. Create an ASEAN EE/ ESD scholarship scheme for the region’s stakeholders;
15. Actively promote and manage the ASEAN Environmental Education Inventory Database (AEEID)   as the central platform for information dissemination, exchange and learning for EE and ESD in ASEAN;
16. Develop an ASEAN-wide ‘Youth for Sustainable Environment’ Network; xvii.Establish an ASEAN sustainable/green/eco-school network;
17. Establish an annual ASEAN EE Conference/ Forum for the region’s EE stakeholders as a platform for the exchange of information, materials, experience, networking,  etc;
18. Build and strengthen existing networks of NGOs, universities and media throughout the region to be effective practitioners, promoters, communicators and agents of change for EE and ESD;  and
19. Enhance the participation of community leaders, such as those religious leaders who have close contact with local communities, in promoting public awareness on the importance of sustainable development and environmentally sustainable practices.

D.4.              PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY (EST)

1. Strategic Objective: Use environmentally sound technologies to achieve sustainable development with minimal impact on the environment

Actions:

1. Operationalise the ASEAN Network on EST (ASEAN-NEST) by 2015;
2. Work towards the adoption of region wide environmental management/labelling schemes to promote economic growth and environmental protection by  2015;
3. Facilitate an EST Forum to develop technology need assessments and develop cooperation among ASEAN Member States;
4. Enhance cooperation among ASEAN Member States within the framework of South-South and North-South cooperation to promote technology  transfer;
5. Explore the establishment of a clearing house centre on EST for ASEAN Member States (i.e. Cleaner Production Centre); and
6. Intensify cooperation on joint research, development, deployment and transfer of  EST.

D.5.             PROMOTING qUALITY LIVING STANDARDS IN ASEAN CITIES/URBAN AREAS

1. Strategic Objective: Ensure cities/urban areas in ASEAN are environmentally sustainable, while meeting the social and economic needs of the  people.

Actions:

1. Expand on the existing work under the ASEAN Initiative on Environmentally Sustainable Cities;
2. Intensify individual and collective efforts to improve the quality of air and water within ASEAN through regional or national initiatives to reduce industrial and transportation  pollutions;
3. Share experiences, expertise and technology in areas such as urban planning including transportation, green building, water management, urban greenery and urban biodiversity conservation, sanitation and waste management, 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and air, noise, water, and land pollution control, through among others twinning cities  programme;
4. Work towards initiatives such as “Low Carbon Society”, “Compact Cities”, “Eco-Cities” and “Environmentally Sustainable Transport”;
5. Develop internationally comparable measures for environmental sustainability for major cities in ASEAN by 2015;
6. Introduce and implement an ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) Award by 2008 as an incentive to promote ESC practices.

D.6.             HARMONIZING ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND DATABASES

1. Strategic Objective: Promote feasible efforts to harmonise on a step-by-step basis environmental policies, and databases, taking into account the national circumstances of Member States, to support the integration of the environmental, social and economic goals of the  region.

Actions:

1. Work towards the implementation of the thirteen priority environmental parameters and undertake efforts to ensure region wide harmonization in terms of measurement, monitoring and reporting by 2015;
2. Strive for harmonization of standards and conformity assessment procedures for environmental performance/programmes by 2015;
3. Continue producing informative periodical state of the environment reports for policy making and addressing impacts on the environment;
4. Promote environmental sustainable/green procurement practices in ASEAN Member States and develop a region wide strategy for the ASEAN region by 2015; and
5. Encourage regional cooperation on Strategic Environmental Assessment of large-scale projects and other activities which may cause significant environmental impacts in the  region.

D.7.              PROMOTING THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF COASTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT

1. Strategic Objective: Ensure ASEAN’s coastal and marine environment are sustainably managed; representative ecosystems, pristine areas and species are protected; economic activities are sustainably managed; and public awareness of the coastal and marine environment instilled.

Actions:

1. Enhance inter-agency and inter-sectoral coordination at the regional and international levels for achieving sustainable development of ASEAN’s coastal and marine environment;
2. Build capacities to develop national marine water quality standards by 2015 using the ASEAN Marine Water Quality Criteria as a reference;
3. Establish a representative network of protected areas to conserve critical habitats by 2015 through further implementation of the ASEAN Criteria for Marine Heritage Areas, and ASEAN Criteria for National Protected Areas;
4. Promote conservation and sustainable management of key ecosystems in coastal and marine habitats, such as joint efforts to maintain and protect marine parks in border areas, and the “Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security”;
5. Enhance the capacity and capability of, as well as economic benefits for the fishery and other coastal community to encourage their active participation in promoting environmental   sustainability;
6. Promote the sustainable use of coastal and marine environment through public awareness campaign to highlight the global importance of coastal and marine environment in addressing food security, maintaining ecosystem services, as well as protecting marine environment;
7. Promote collaboration among ASEAN Member States in responding to transboundary pollution due to the oil spill incidents; and
8. Promote cooperation in addressing pollution of coastal and marine environment from land-based sources.

D.8.             PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY

1. Strategic Objective: Ensure ASEAN’s rich biological diversity is conserved and sustainably managed toward enhancing social, economic and environmental  well-being.

Actions:

1. Achieve by 2010, a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity through implementing relevant national, regional and international programmes of work;
2. Promote collaboration, sharing of lessons learnt on access and equitable sharing of genetic and biological resources by 2015;
3. Promote further listing and coordinated management of ASEAN Heritage Parks as an effective platform for ecosystem-based protected areas management by  2015;
4. Enhance cooperation in the management of transboundary protected areas between neighbouring ASEAN Member States;
5. Take appropriate measures to minimise impacts of transboundary movement of living modified organisms in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety by  2015;
6. Establish a functional regional network to promote capacity building in developing inventory of the biological resources and biosafety measures of the ASEAN Region by 2015;
7. Enhance the role and capacity of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) to function as an effective regional centre of excellence in promoting biodiversity conservation and  management;

1. Promote the involvement of local community to maintain biodiversity conservation and forest health by 2015;
2. Promote effective management policies and practices to reduce the impact of invasive alien species at the regional and international levels;
3. Promote regional cooperation on sustainable management of biodiversity such as sharing research and development experiences, exchange of experts, and  training;
4. Strengthen efforts to control transboundary trade in wild fauna and flora through the ASEAN Action Plan on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora 2005-2010 and the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) to implement commitments to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES);
5. Explore cooperation among ASEAN Member States to conduct joint survey and monitoring of migratory wildlife; and
6. Promote cooperation among ASEAN Member States in combating land degradation for sustainable land management to support sustainable agriculture and  environment.

D.9.             PROMOTING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES

1. Strategic Objective: Promote sustainability of water resources to ensure equitable accessibility and sufficient water quantity of acceptable quality to meet the needs of the people of  ASEAN.

Actions:

1. Continue implementation of the ASEAN Strategic Plan of Action on Water Resources Management;
2. Endeavour to reduce by half the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2010;
3. Manage water resources efficiently and effectively in order to provide adequate and affordable water services by 2015;
4. Promote the implementation of integrated river basin management by  2015;
5. Promote public awareness and partnership to enhance integrated water resources management; and
6. Promote regional cooperation on water conservation measures and programmes as well as scientific and technological innovations in water quality improvement and  supply.

D.10.          RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADDRESSING ITS IMPACTS

1. Strategic Objective: Enhance regional and international cooperation to address the issue of climate change and its impacts on socio-economic development, health and the environment, in ASEAN Member States through implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures, based on the principles of equity, flexibility, effectiveness, common but differentiated responsibilities, respective capabilities, as well as reflecting on different social and economic  conditions.

Actions:

1. Encourage ASEAN common understanding on climate change issues and where possible, engage in joint efforts and common positions in addressing these  issues.
2. Encourage the efforts to develop an ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI);
3. Promote and facilitate exchange of information/knowledge on scientific research and development (R&D), deployment and transfer of technology and best practices on adaptation and mitigation measures, and enhance human resource development;

1. Encourage the international community to participate in and contribute to ASEAN’s efforts in afforestation and reforestation, as well as to reduce deforestation and forest  degradation;
2. Develop regional strategies to enhance capacity for adaptation, low carbon economy, and promote public awareness to address effects of climate  change;
3. Enhance collaboration among ASEAN Member States and relevant partners to address climate related hazards, and scenarios for climate change;
4. Develop regional systematic observation system to monitor impact of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems in ASEAN;
5. Conduct regional policy, scientific and related studies, to facilitate the implementation of climate change convention and related conventions;
6. Promote public awareness and advocacy to raise community participation on protecting human health from the potential impact of climate  change;
7. Encourage the participation of local government, private sector, non-governmental organisations, and community to address the impacts of climate change;  and
8. Promote strategies to ensure that climate change initiatives lead to economically vibrant and environment friendly ASEAN Community taking into account win-win synergy between climate change and the economic development.

D.11.      PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT (SFM)

1. Strategic Objective: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of forest resources in   the ASEAN region and eradicating unsustainable practices including combating illegal logging and its associated trade through amongst others; capacity building, technology transfer, enhancing public awareness and strengthening law enforcement and governance.

Actions:

1. Implement Strategic Plan of Action of the ASEAN cooperation in Forestry (2005 – 2010);
2. Encouraging environmentally sustainable planning and management of the ASEAN region’s forests;
3. Strengthen to address social cultural aspect of illegal logging and its associated trade in particular poverty eradication and illicit practices such as corruption and money   laundering;
4. Support for global and regional initiatives to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and to promote a reformed afforestation and reforestation under the Clean Development Mechanism (A/R-CDM) effort and to identify and avail appropriate international incentives and assistance;
5. Support the implementation of regional forest related initiatives such as the “Heart of Borneo” initiative, the Asia Forest Partnership and Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation, as well as global efforts such as Forestry Eleven Forum;
6. Enhance the capacities and human resources, including research and development in the forestry sector to achieve Sustainable Forest Management (SFM);
7. Strengthen ASEAN cooperation and joint approaches in addressing international and regional forestry issues to participate in the development of a global partnership for   development;
8. Promote forest management involving the community living within and surrounding the forest for the sustainability of the forest and prosperity of the  people;
9. Promote the eradication of unsustainable practices and related illicit  activities;
10. Strengthen the implementation of forest law enforcement and governance to achieve sustainable management of forest resources and to support the sustainable development objective of Millennium

Development Goals, including eradicating and combating illegal logging and its associated trade as well as combating the issue of illicit practices such as corruption and money laundering;   and

1. Implement the work plan for strengthening forest law enforcement and governance in ASEAN (2008- 2015).

1. BUILDING ASEAN IDENTITY

1. The ASEAN identity is the basis of Southeast Asia’s regional interests. It is our collective personality, norms, values and beliefs as well as aspirations as one ASEAN community. ASEAN will mainstream and promote greater awareness and common values in the spirit of unity in diversity at all levels of  society.

E.1.      PROMOTION OF ASEAN AWARENESS AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY

1. Strategic Objective: Create a sense of belonging, consolidate unity in diversity and enhance deeper mutual understanding among ASEAN Member States about their culture, history, religion, and civilisation.

Actions:

1. Review and develop new Regional and National Communication Plan in each Member State to support ASEAN identity and awareness building efforts;
2. Encourage all sectoral bodies to intensify their efforts in promoting ASEAN identity and awareness as well as enhance the roles of Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI), Senior Officials Meeting on Culture and Arts (SOMCA) and the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) in promoting ASEAN identity and awareness;
3. Undertake a coordinated production of printed, broadcast and multimedia materials on ASEAN to   be reproduced and disseminated by national information agencies and private agencies of ASEAN Member States starting in 2009;
4. Engage the mainstream media in promoting, on a continuing basis, all ASEAN programmes and projects, including ASEAN’s cultural heritage and arts and the work of COCI;
5. Increase media exchange and networking of communication personnel among ASEAN Member States and between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners;
6. Support school activities promoting ASEAN awareness, such as by encouraging the observance of the annual ASEAN Day;
7. Initiate the establishment of linkages among ASEAN cities and townships, especially those with cultural arts and heritage elements.;
8. Support the ASEAN Foundation’s mandate to promote ASEAN identity and awareness and people-to- people interactions, primarily within ASEAN, but also between ASEAN and its friends and  partners;
9. Promote ASEAN sporting events in the national and private media such as the SEA Games. and PARA Games;
10. Encourage the use of ASEAN Anthem and other ASEAN Symbols to raise ASEAN awareness in ASEAN Member States;
11. Encourage the establishment of ASEAN associations at national levels to promote awareness of ASEAN in ASEAN Member States;
12. Encourage the deepening of understanding and tolerance among the peoples of ASEAN through interfaith dialogue and ensuring adequate exposure of these events in the media;

1. Promote a culture of tolerance among media personnel about the diverse culture, religion and ethnicity of ASEAN by conducting enhanced inter-media dialogue among ASEAN media and in cooperation with other international  actors;
2. Enhance the use of and the capability to utilize new media technologies such as digital broadcasting to promote ASEAN awareness and identity and facilitating ASEAN media industry collaborations to showcase Member States’ culture, developments and  talents;
3. Strengthen national capabilities in the preservation and promotion of audio-visual  heritage;
4. Encourage active participation of ASEAN Media Editors through regular Meetings to promote ASEAN awareness;
5. Encourage cooperation and networking including book exchange programmes among libraries in ASEAN; and
6. Disseminate ASEAN culture, social traditions and values particularly among the young generation through the media.
7. Promote exchanges of television programmes to enhance cross-culture understanding among ASEAN Member States;
8. Mobilise the mass media and other cultural institutions to disseminate and share information on ASEAN culture, developments, accomplishments, benefits, and objectives to the  people;
9. Encourage youth exchanges such as the conduct of youth camps and similar activities to promote ASEAN arts and culture performances, ASEAN awareness and a sense of community among the public; and
10. Include the studies on ASEAN arts and culture as well as their values in school curriculum.

E.2.      PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF ASEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE

1. Strategic Objective: Promote the conservation and preservation of ASEAN cultural heritage to ensure its continuity to enhance awareness and understanding of the people about the unique history of the region and the cultural similarities and differences between and among ASEAN Member States as well as to protect the distinctiveness of ASEAN cultural heritage as a whole.

Actions:

1. Develop or improve national legislations and regional instruments/mechanisms to protect, preserve and promote ASEAN cultural heritage and living traditions of each ASEAN Member State by 2015;
2. Document and manage significant ASEAN cultural heritage in a whole of ASEAN context;
3. Undertake risk assessments and prepare emergency response plans for rescuing threatened significant cultural heritage across ASEAN; Promote ASEAN civilization studies, including through collaboration between the ASEAN culture officials and the members of the  AUN;
4. Promote cultural tourism and the development of related industries by establishing working relations between and among the ASEAN culture and tourism officials and the private  sector;
5. Promote capacity building/human capital in heritage management by providing training, seminar, workshop, conferences, etc;
6. Undertake studies on the establishment of an ASEAN Cultural Centre in each ASEAN Member State as well as ASEAN dialogue partner countries;
7. Preserve and develop the traditional handicraft villages and occupations in the rural areas, particularly among ethnic minority groups;
8. Develop national capabilities in the promotion, management and preservation of traditional cultural heritage and non-traditional cultural heritage such as  audio-visuals;
9. Encourage community participation in preservation cultural heritage through mass  media;

1. Promote the protection of cultural properties against theft, illicit and illegal trade and trafficking, and transfer within and outside ASEAN;
2. Promote regional cooperation on the acquisition, preservation and use of  archives;
3. Establish effective resource centre or portal for Records and Archives of ASEAN Secretariat;
4. Exchange of best practices and experts in the field of Archive and Records Management;  and
5. Nurture talents and promote interactions among ASEAN scholars, artists, and heritage media practitioners to help preserve and promote ASEAN Cultural Diversity while fostering regional identity as well as cultivating people awareness of ASEAN

E.3.     PROMOTION OF CULTURAL CREATIVITY AND INDUSTRY

1. Strategic Objective: Enhance ASEAN identity and togetherness through cultural creativity and the promotion and cooperation on cultural  industry.

Actions:

1. Promote the development of cultural industry resources by facilitating collaborations and networking between and among small and medium-sized cultural enterprises (SMCEs);
2. Promote and support the development of cultural industries through the exchange of knowledge and best practices by respecting branded national cultural  industries;
3. Develop and support young peoples capacity for original ideas and action in the area of culture and arts;
4. Promote wider opportunities for cultural creativity among youth and all sectors of the population, including the ethnic groups;
5. Promote marketing and distribution of cultural products and  services;
6. Improve capacity of national institutions to manage and develop cultural industry enhancing employment activities and commercialisation of local cultural products/services in domestic and international markets;
7. Encourage cooperation on culture industry and creative economy with the ASEAN partner  countries;
8. Organise regular joint training programmes, seminars, and workshops for SMCEs; and
9. Enhance interactions between Government Sectors and Private Sectors Institution on SMCE’s Development by convening annual conferences.

E.4.      ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY

1. Strategic Objective: To inculcate an ASEAN identity and build a people-oriented ASEAN where people are at the centre of community building, through the participation of all sectors of   society.

Actions:

1. Engage ASEAN-affiliated non-governmental organisations in ASEAN Community building process;
2. Convene the ASEAN Social Forum and the ASEAN Civil Society Conference on an annual basis to explore the best means for effective dialogue, consultations and cooperation between ASEAN and ASEAN civil society;
3. Explore the establishment of an ASEAN volunteers programme, to be composed of young professionals, with focus on supporting rural development and assisting communities to help themselves by 2009;
4. Support youth volunteers undertaking emergency or humanitarian missions by giving them recognition; and
5. Share public information network and databases of ASEAN for a greater flow of useful information in the region.

1. NARROWING THE DEVELOPMENT GAP

1. Strategic Objective: Strengthen cooperation to reduce the development gap in particular the social dimensions of development between the ASEAN-6 and the CLMV countries and within ASEAN where some isolated pockets of under development  persist.

Actions:

1. Mainstream social development issues in developing and implementing projects for the IAI and through various subregional cooperation frameworks such as the  Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), and the inter-state areas along the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) among Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and North-eastern Thailand, and Myanmar, the ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Cooperation Scheme, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam (CLV) Development Triangle, the Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand (CLT) Emerald Triangle, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV);
2. Implement the Second IAI Work Plan for the period of  2009-2015;
3. ASEAN-6 to continue their support and assistance for the Second IAI Work  Plan;
4. Continue to mobilise the resources from dialogue partners, international and regional organisations/ institutions for the Second IAI Work Plan and projects to support and assist the CLMV   countries;
5. Engage related development agencies in each Member State and ASEAN partners to undertake assessment studies on the social impact of regional integration for the purpose of developing appropriate policy responses starting in 2009;
6. Adopt and implement regional advocacy programme to include, among others, agriculture, marine and fisheries, agro-based industry, integrated rural development;
7. Continue to assist the governments of CLMV countries to build and strengthen capacities to develop/ implement social policies that will mitigate and monitor the impact of the regional integration process; and
8. Conduct a comprehensive study on the impact on new Member States of ASEAN as a result of acceleration of ASEAN Community building from 2020 to 2015;

1. IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW OF THE ASCC BLUEPRINT

1. IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM

1. The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council shall be accountable for the overall implementation of the Blueprint and shall ensure coordination of efforts under its purview as well as those which cut across the other Community Councils.
2. All relevant ASEAN ministerial bodies or their equivalent shall be responsible in ensuring effective implementation of the various elements, actions and commitments in the Blueprint by reflecting them in their respective work plans, mobilizing resources for them, and undertaking national initiatives in order to meet these commitments.
3. To ensure effective implementation of the ASCC Blueprint, the following measures are recommended.

Actions:

1. Mainstream the strategies, targets and actions of the ASCC Blueprint, and incorporate them in respective national development plans;
2. Endeavour to ratify relevant ASEAN Agreements within a timeline in accordance with the internal processes of each ASEAN Member State;
3. Engage the Dialogue Partners, the private sector, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders in ensuring timely implementation of agreed measures;
4. Identify and implement technical studies or training programmes on issues, areas or topics where analytical as well as capacity building supports which are  required;
5. Strengthen the capabilities of the ASEAN Secretariat in areas relevant to the ASCC;
6. Strengthen the capabilities of each ASEAN Member State especially in research and human capital development; and
7. Establish appropriate capacity building programmes to assist new Member States in enhancing the achievement of the ASCC.
8. The progress of implementation of the ASCC Blueprint shall be reported by the Secretary-General of ASEAN to relevant ministerial meetings and Councils, and to the ASEAN Summit.

1. RESOURCE MOBILISATION

1. Financial resources, expertise, research and capacity building for the implementation of the ASCC Blueprint can be mobilized, among others, from the  following:

1. ASEAN Member States;
2. Dialogue, Sectoral and Development Partners;
3. Regional and International Institutions in particular the ADB, the World Bank/IFC, the  UN;
4. Regional and International Foundations; and
5. Private Sectors.

1. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

1. Success in building the ASCC requires involvement by all stakeholders in the integration process. A good communications programme is required to create greater public awareness of the ASCC in all ASEAN Member States as well as to keep all stakeholders, including the social/cultural communities and people of ASEAN, informed of the progress of this community  building.

Actions:

1. Launch a comprehensive communications plan to explain to government officials, key stakeholders and the general public the objectives, benefits and challenges of the  ASCC;
2. Undertake activities to promote open discussion and sharing of information in implementing the ASCC;
3. Member States shall set up a mechanism at the national level to regularly report the outcome and issues of the integration process; and
4. Create an ASCC communications website that would provide an additional channel to reach communities at large, where stakeholders can provide feedback and respond to ASEAN socio- cultural initiatives.

1. REVIEW MECHANISM

1. The implementation of the ASCC Blueprint shall be monitored and reviewed by the ASEAN Secretariat to ensure that all the activities are responsive to the needs and priority of ASEAN.
2. The ASEAN Secretariat shall develop and adopt indicators and systems to monitor and assess the progress of implementation of the various elements and actions in the  Blueprint.
3. The mid-term review of the implementation of the ASCC Blueprint can be undertaken whenever necessary, taking into account the changing dynamics of the region and the global  environment.

END NOTE

1. Nothing in this Blueprint shall contradict the general principles in the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.
2. This applies to Member States which are parties to the Agreement.

GLOSSARY

Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan  2 (2009-2015)

Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan 2 (2009-2015)

PART I- IAI STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

MANDATE

1. The ASEAN Heads of State/Government at their Summit in 2000 launched the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) to narrow the development divide and enhance ASEAN’s competitiveness as a region  to provide a framework for regional cooperation through which the more developed ASEAN members could help those member countries that most need it. The following year the ASEAN Foreign Ministers adopted the Hanoi Declaration on Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) for Closer ASEAN Integration. The ASEAN Leaders in their 2003 Declaration of the ASEAN Concord (Bali Concord II) stressed that the deepening and broadening of ASEAN integration shall be accompanied by technical and development cooperation to address the development divide and accelerate the economic integration of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam (CLMV) through the road map for the integration of ASEAN to enable     all member states to move forward in a unified manner and that the benefits of ASEAN integration are shared. In this regard, the Vientiane Action Programme 2004-2010, a medium-term development plan  to realize ASEAN Vision 2020, highlighted the strategic importance of narrowing the development gap  to realize the ASEAN Community, and that the IAI be strengthened to address the needs of CLMV and sub-regional areas.

1. The 13th ASEAN Summit in 2007 agreed that narrowing the development gap remains an important task which will ensure that the benefits of ASEAN’s integration efforts are fully realized. The Leaders further noted that efforts to narrow the development gap should be aligned with the broader aspects of ASEAN’s integration initiatives. With the acceleration of the realization of the ASEAN Community to 2015, these efforts have become even more urgent.

GOAL

1. The overall goal of the NDG is to promote, through concerted efforts, effective cooperation and mutual assistance to narrow the development gap among ASEAN Member States (AMS) and between ASEAN and the rest of the world.

1. In operational terms, NDG efforts shall assist the CLMV countries to meet ASEAN-wide targets and commitments towards realizing the ASEAN Community.

1. This will include specific regional cooperation activities aimed at assisting the less developed member states to achieve closer economic integration, to benefit from ASEAN schemes for regional economic integration activities, to supplement national efforts directly aimed at poverty reduction and the promotion of equitable and inclusive development.

IAI WORK PLAN

1. The efforts to narrow the development gap will be driven mainly by the IAI Work  Plan. The first IAI   Work Plan for the period 2002-2008 accomplished implementation of a total of 134 projects/programs attracting a total investment of about USD 191 million from ASEAN-6, and about USD 20 million by dialogue partners, development agencies and other partners. This does not include the other IAI related substantive support given to the CLMV, nor other projects implemented in the CLMV   sub-region.

1. The IAI Strategic Framework provides the policy direction for the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the IAI Work Plan for the period  2009-2015.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR FORMULATION OF THE IAI WORK PLAN

1. The NDG efforts in general, and the IAI in particular, are aligned with the three Community Blueprints namely the ASEAN Economic Blueprint, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Blueprint and the ASEAN Political Security Blueprint. Therefore the IAI Work Plan for the period 2009-2015 has been formulated based on the key program areas in each of the three Blueprints, the 1st IAI Work Plan 2002-2008, and the project ideas contained in the Mid-Term Review of the 1st IAI Work Plan  2002-2008.

1. While it is acknowledged that all AMS will benefit from the Blueprint actions and that CLMV countries may be accorded additional attention in the implementation of these actions, the programs to be included in the IAI Work Plan are those that are critical and necessary to hasten the integration process and to move forward in a unified manner in the implementation of the  Blueprints.

1. Criteria for projects in the IAI Work Plan include identification of the precise needs of CLMV in terms of external assistance, the importance of a project’s role in national development plans, its effectiveness in building CLMV capacity for participation in ASEAN programs, long term continuity and sustainability, and absorptive capacity of CLMV countries. This will ensure that IAI projects have coherence, focus, ensure adequate coverage, reflect substantive gaps in priority sectors and activities essential for integration, and more importantly are responsive to CLMV needs.

1. While capacity building and human resource development is key to IAI efforts, there is a need to encourage the development of infrastructure as a means to promote ASEAN  integration.

IMPLEMENTATION/MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

1. The ASEAN Summit will provide overall guidance and advice on the implementation of the NDG initiative, and in particular approve the IAI Work Plan.

1. The ASEAN Coordinating Council in consultation with relevant ministerial bodies will provide recommendations to the ASEAN Summit with regard to the implementation of the NDG  initiatives.

1. The IAI Task Force will provide policy guidelines, directions, and general advice on the IAI Work Plan; ensure coordination among the AMS; assist in formulation, implementation and design of the IAI Work Plan; seek funding and work closely with dialogue partners, development agencies and other partners in the implementation of the IAI Work Plan.

1. The co-shepherds mechanism shall continue to operate to foster greater collaboration in the formulation and implementation of ASEAN-6 assistance to the CLMV countries.

1. The ASEAN Secretariat, in particular through the IAI Unit, shall support the above bodies in the implementation of the IAI Work Plan and activities of other sub-regional frameworks. This will include servicing the meetings, assist in formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of projects, resource mobilization and overall operational coordination among the various  bodies.

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

1. New, additional and innovative resource mobilization shall be a key aspect of the implementation of the IAI Work Plan. The assistance and resources shall come from the following sources: ASEAN; ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Partners, and Development Partners (ASEAN Partners); regional and international financial institutions; and private sector, foundations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

ASEAN

1. The Leaders have stressed that the IAI shall essentially be a mechanism for ASEAN-6 to help the CLMV countries. In that sense, ASEAN-6 shall continue to support and provide assistance and resources through ASEAN-6 contribution to the IAI Work Plan, and through bilateral initiatives. In addition, ASEAN-6 promoting joint projects with partial funding, in line with their more developed status, will be an attractive proposition to dialogue partners and other partners. By its very nature, projects sponsored by ASEAN-6 would acquire greater coherence and a higher degree of organization, strengthen ASEAN solidarity and present an image of doing something for itself and of other ASEAN countries as helping one another, and therefore attract outside funding and  support.

1. The ASEAN Development Fund may be used to leverage funding of regional cooperation programs and projects from dialogue partners and other donors, provide seed funding for initial activities of large scale projects, and to provide full funding support to small and short-term projects of a confidential or strategic nature.

ASEAN PARTNERS

1. The NDG has revitalized the development-cooperation dimension of ASEAN’s partners and made its projects the focus and center of development cooperation between ASEAN and its partners. Therefore, in addition to the on-going support provided to ASEAN, the partners should be encouraged to provide additional funding for the IAI activities. As explained above, partners should also explore joint projects with ASEAN-6 that will enhance collaboration beyond aid to joint partners for IAI activities. Special consideration for the participation of CLMV ought to be built into the design of all ASEAN cooperation programs, projects, and activities.

PRIVATE ENTERPRISES, FOUNDATIONS AND  NGOS

1. The private enterprises, foundations and NGOs make substantial contributions to the socio-economic development of the CLMV countries. In fact, the IAI Work Plan cannot match the much needed funding for physical infrastructure projects of the private sector.  The IAI Work  Plan should therefore adopt         a strategy to promote private sector investment, to expand their scope on a sub-regional scale by providing assistance in drawing feasibility studies for such infrastructure, conduct studies that are needed in seeking financing from international financial institutions or from private investors, organizing CLMV-wide investment and trade promotion fora, exhibitions  etc.

MONITORING/REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

1. Regular monitoring and implementation of IAI Work Plan will be undertaken by the various institutional mechanisms outlined above.

1. Specifically, (i) the CLMV countries shall report annually on the assistance they have received from all sources concentrating on the utility, impact and effectiveness of the projects (ii) ASEAN-6 shall submit annual reports on their assistance programs for the CLMV countries, and (iii) the ASEAN Secretariat shall consolidate these reports together with its own account of IAI support from ASEAN   partners.

1. A set of key parameters representative of narrowing the development gap shall be adopted to monitor its progress. For this purpose a study will be undertaken to determine these key parameters, building upon the ASEAN Baseline Report conducted by the ASEAN Secretariat.

1. The IAI Work Plan 2 (2009-2015) shall be reviewed periodically to take into account ASEAN Community building process and emerging needs of CLMV countries.

PART II – IAI WORK PLAN 2 (2009-2015) ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (AEC)

1. SINGLE MARKET AND PRODUCTION BASE

A.1.      FREE FLOW OF GOODS

Actions:

1. Conduct a study by 2009 to analyze the state, in each of the CLMV countries, of each of the  relevant priority sectors and how the sector would benefit from or be affected by more rapid regional integration within ASEAN, proposing measures to undertake adjustments to reap the benefits and mitigate the costs.
2. Implement the agreed measures recommended by the above study.
3. Conduct a study by 2009 to identify obstacles encountered by CLMV exporters to or through ASEAN-6 countries and vice versa.
4. Conduct a review by 2010 with a view to implement effectively the ASEAN Integration System of Preferences.
5. Conduct a study by 2009 of ways in which the ASEAN-6 can help strengthen the export competitiveness of the CLMV countries.

1. Implement the agreed recommendations of the study, completed in 2004, on managing the revenue losses and adjustment costs arising from CLMV participation in  AFTA.
2. Assist CLMV in capacity building to ensure the implementation of National Single Window by  2012.
3. Conduct attachment programs and other methods of improving the familiarity of the customs and other agencies of the CLMV countries with the CEPT scheme and other integration measures and strengthening their capacity to implement  them.
4. Conduct programs to familiarize the private sector in the CLMV countries with ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and other integration measures.
5. Continue implementation of the IAI training and institution-building programs in customs administration and operations.
6. Continue implementation of additional programs on the basis of a coherent capacity building program adopted by the ASEAN customs authorities, including training in the application of rules of origin, risk assessment, and enforcement of agreements related to  customs.
7. Provide assistance to those CLMV countries that need assistance in drafting or amending customs- related legislation.
8. Implement programs on customs-related information on transparency, appeal mechanism and access to information.
9. Implement programs on customs  automation.
10. Provide support for implementation of CLMV national master plans on standards and conformity assessment, including the improvement of technical infrastructure and  equipment.
11. Conduct capacity-building projects for the improvement of technical infrastructure, on-the-job training in laboratories, product certification, implementation of ISO directives, technical training for regulatory bodies, and accreditation and certification within the framework of a capacity-building program adopted by ACCSQ.
12. Provide technical assistance in the establishment of national standards for those CLMV that needs it.
13. Provide technical assistance in the harmonization of standards and technical regulations primarily in the 12 priority sectors of the AEC.
14. Strengthen strategic alliance between agricultural cooperatives in CLMV through bilateral and regional cooperation and promote business linkages among the potential agricultural cooperatives within ASEAN.

A.2.      FREE FLOW OF SERVICES

Actions:

1. Conduct a study by 2009 to analyze the state and impact of free flow of services in each of the CLMV countries in the global and regional contexts, including the five priority sectors for the integration of trade in services.
2. Implement the agreed measures recommended by the above study.
3. Provide technical assistance by 2012 in formulating services related policy measures in tourism sector including air transport services, liberalization of tourism services, and the use of tourism professionals.
4. Provide joint training by 2011 in tourism services sector to strengthen the capacity of government officials and private sectors in charge of services in CLMV countries.

A.3.     FREE FLOW OF INVESTMENT

Actions:

1. Conduct a research study to identify the difficulties encountered by investors in their operations in CLMV countries.
2. Undertake a review on possible strategies to attract investment, improve the investment climate, build capacities and maximize the benefits of FDI for  development.
3. Conduct capacity building programs to review, streamline and simplify procedures for investment applications and approvals.
4. Provide technical assistance in strengthening databases, such as on rules and regulations and incentives, for investments covering goods and services to facilitate policy formulation, and dissemination of investment information.
5. Conduct a study of the human resource requirements of the sectors to which the CLMV countries seek to draw investments, including reforms in the educational system and short-term vocational training.
6. Conduct programs to familiarize the private sector in the CLMV countries with ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) and other integration measures.

A.4.      FREER FLOW OF CAPITAL

Actions:

1. Conduct training programmes in dealing with financial issues, including possible assistance in developing financial system in CLMV.
2. Develop capacity building for CLMV in the areas of capital market with the aim to facilitate liberalization in the financial sectors.
3. Enhance capacity building for Central Banks of CLMV in managing monetary policies, monitoring and supervision.
4. Enhance competitiveness of commercial banks in CLMV in areas such as human resource development, modernization of banking technology and risk management,  etc.
5. Provide on-the-job training to the personnel of CLMV in ASEAN-6 for an appropriate duration in relevant institutions in the areas of capital market developments, financial services liberalization and capital account liberalization.

A.5.     FREE FLOW OF SKILLED LABOUR

Action:

i.  Conduct training by 2010 to assist CLMV in implementing the Mutual Recognition Agreements  (MRAs) signed.

A.6.     PRIORITY INTEGRATION SECTORS

Actions:

1. Assist CLMV to implement measures identified in the Roadmaps for Integration of Priority  Sectors.
2. Develop capacity building programs for CLMV authorities involved in the implementation of the measures identified in the Roadmaps for Integration of the PIS.

A.7.      FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

Actions:

1. Conduct capacity building for harmonization and inspection/sampling   procedures.
2. Provide assistance to harmonize the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of commonly used pesticides for widely traded crop products in accordance with international   standards/guides.
3. Conduct a study by 2011 on how to increase competitiveness of food, agriculture and forestry products/commodities including addressing gap among CLMV and other ASEAN Member States in relation to food, agriculture and forestry related issues.
4. Provide assistance to CLMV by 2011 in implementing Good Agriculture / Aquaculture Practices (GAP) for agricultural and food products and develop national GAP.
5. Provide assistance to each CLMV country to harmonise Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures for agricultural, food and forestry products with significant trade / trade   potential.
6. Conduct training by 2011 on Criteria and Indicators for Forest Certification for each CLMV  country.
7. Develop collaborative research and technology transfer in food, agriculture and forestry products including training and extension programmes for CLMV  countries.
8. Establish strategic alliances and joint approaches with the private sectors in promoting food safety, investment and joint venture opportunities, promotion of agricultural products and market access in each CLMV country.
9. Conduct study to empower and enhance market access of agricultural products and to build a network mechanism linking agricultural cooperatives among CLMV and other ASEAN Member States.
10. Organize workshops on strengthening efforts to combat illegal logging and its associated trade for the CLMV countries.
11. Organise training workshops on Good Manufacturing Practices/Good Hygiene Practices and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in relation to food, agriculture, aquaculture and forestry  products.

1. COMPETITIVE ECONOMIC REGION

B.1.     COMPETITION POLICY

Actions:

1. Conduct programs to strengthen rule of law in CLMV through capacity building, including the enforcement of contracts, competition policy, dispute settlement, and government policy   reform.
2. Provide support for CLMV in developing competition  policy.

B.2.     CONSUMER PROTECTION

Actions:

1. Provide technical assistance by 2011 for CLMV countries on policy formulation, development and improvement of consumer protection guidelines and legal  framework.
2. Implement capacity building programs by 2011 on consumer protection through organising seminars, workshops, study visits and training  courses.
3. Provide assistance to those CLMV countries that need assistance in drafting protection-related registration especially with regard to unfair and deceptive practices including false and deceptive advertising, abusive sales tactics, consumer fraud and other unfair business  practices.

B.3.     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR)

Actions:

1. Organise training and workshops by 2010 on implications of IPR in regional FTAs.
2. Provide necessary technical assistance to CLMV countries in the implementation of the ASEAN IPR Action Plan 2004 – 2010 and the Work Plan for ASEAN Cooperation on Copy Rights.
3. Assist CLMV countries to enhance their IPR systems.

B.4.     INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Actions:

1. Continuation, intensification and expansion of training in multimodal  transport.
2. Provide training by 2011 in multimodal transport, logistics, and supply chain management  .
3. Provide technical assistance and training for CLMV in establishing and operating their segments of the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link.
4. Conduct a feasibility study on the upgrading of secondary roads in each of the CLMV countries for connection to the ASEAN Highway Network.
5. Undertake activities on the application of information and communications technology to transportation.
6. Conduct training projects for container transport, urban transport planning, traffic management, and transport engineering.
7. Conduct a capacity building project on traffic safety in inland   waterways.
8. Consider implementation of Viet Nam’s proposal to convert the Inland Waterways College in Ho Chi Minh City into a regional training center for inland waterways.
9. Provide support to amend the road transport law and road traffic law for CLMV by 2010 to comply with regional obligations.
10. Provide training on railway operation for CLMV.
11. Implement projects to build CLMV capacity to participate in ASEAN energy schemes, primarily the ASEAN Power Grid.
12. Provide training by 2011 in high-voltage inter-connection and in power-systems  planning.
13. Provide training in fuel quality testing, fuel transport safety, power trading and negotiations on transboundary power tariffs.
14. Develop a program of fuel conservation and renewable energy, with a training component by  2010.
15. Provide support for formulation of national ICT master plans by  2010.
16. Provide support for formulation of e-government master  plans.
17. Provide support for formulation of national action plans for human resource development in ICT. xviii.Provide support to review telecommunications regulations to support liberalization (and development)

of the telecom sector with an integrated approach on regulation and policy reform (on competition policy, foreign investment, licensing, allocation of resources such as frequencies and access facilities).

xix. Provide support to complete the GMS Information Superhighway to provide the telecom backbone network and connectivity to all parts of  CLMV.

1. Conduct a study and implement measures to implement CLMV ICT manufacturing bases/clusters (and to be connected to other IT parks in ASEAN).

xxi. Conduct training programs on the basis of a coherent program for the ICT focal points of   CLMV.

B.5.     TAxATION

Actions:

1. Organise workshops and seminars on taxation matters.
2. Provide necessary assistance related to developing bilateral agreement on avoidance of double taxation to CLMV countries that need assistance.
3. Provide technical assistance on tax structure enhancement to CLMV for the eventual harmonization with other ASEAN Member Countries’ tax systems.

B.6.     E-COMMERCE

Actions:

1. Provide support by 2010 to develop e-commerce friendly environment (to cover the areas of e-commerce law, digital signature, information security,  etc).
2. Develop capacity building/training programs on the utilization of   e-commerce.

1. EqUITABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

C.1.     SME DEVELOPMENT

Actions:

1. Conduct a study by 2009 to determine how the rural areas of each of the CLMV countries could benefit from the integration of each of the 12 priority  sectors.
2. Implement the agreed measures recommended by the above study.
3. Continue implementation of workshops on standardization and quality, and training programs on quality improvement for SME in the CLMV countries.
4. Conduct a series of projects to cultivate entrepreneurship in CLMV countries, taking in account the Entrepreneurship Development Centers set up by India.
5. Organize a series of seminars on sharing of experiences on access to financing for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
6. Develop capacity building/training programs for CLMV countries that need assistance in enhancing competitiveness of their SMEs.

1. INTEGRATION INTO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

D.1.     COHERENT APPROACH TOWARDS ExTERNAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Actions:

1. Conduct training programs for the CLMV countries in the application of the rules of origin of trade agreements concluded or being negotiated by ASEAN.
2. Conduct capacity building programs to provide policy advice to CLMV governments in the negotiations of free trade agreements in accordance with their respective needs and  interest.
3. Provide assistance to the CLMV governments in ensuring that their specific requirements are taken into account in the study on the investment elements of FTAs being negotiated between ASEAN and Dialogue Partners.

D.2.     ENHANCED PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL SUPPLY NETWORKS

Actions:

1. Provide training in the assessment of overseas markets.
2. Conduct studies of the major markets for actual or potential CLMV  exports.
3. Support CLMV countries in conducting studies on impact of integration in agricultural   sector.

ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY (ASCC)

1. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

A.1.               ADVANCING AND PRIORITISING EDUCATION

Action:

i.                  Conduct a program for training in the management of higher education for CLMV  countries.

A.2.               INVESTING IN HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Actions:

1. Conduct a seminar by 2009 on strategic planning for skills  development.
2. Study the possibility of establishing vocational/university exchange programs or temporary training programs for certain skills sets that are needed for CLMV.

A.3.              PROMOTION OF DECENT WORK

Actions:

1. Implement a program by 2010 to promote safety in the work place in CLMV  countries.
2. Provide advisory assistance to CLMV in the development of the informal sector, including policy measures and training programs.

A.4.               PROMOTING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

Actions:

1. Provide expertise training in the management of large-scale ICT projects in CLMV countries.
2. Provide support in building up and developing a group of CEOs for  ICT.
3. Provide support for CLMV countries in studying and building of structures and information standards serving e-government.
4. Develop a standard ICT infrastructure of CLMV for their people, especially women, youth, elderly and persons with disability, to easily access ICT.
5. Provide ICT training for people in each CLMV country including women, youth, elderly and persons with disability.
6. Provide support to implement capacity building programmes to increase ICT literacy in ASEAN, including women, children, elderly and people with  disabilities.

A.5.              FACILITATING ACCESS TO APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Actions:

1. Provide support to implement the ASEAN-Help-ASEAN programme to address the S&T needs and strengthen the S&T infrastructure of CLMV.
2. Design activities to improve the capabilities of CLMV to undertake collaborative research and development in enabling technologies.
3. Provide assistance to CLMV to develop national S&T indicators that can serve as inputs in the development of human resource strategies by economic and industry  players.

A.6.              STRENGTHENING ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS FOR WOMEN, YOUTH, ELDERLY AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Actions:

1. Establish an entrepreneurship forum by 2010 for entrepreneurs who are women, youth, elderly and persons with disability of ASEAN-6 to share their experiences and assist their CLMV partners in the way of doing business effectively, including the use of micro credit, access to seed capital and the market.
2. Provide women, youth, elderly and persons with disability in CLMV with knowledge on international commerce by 2010.