Key Outcomes of 18th East Asia Summit

Why in news?

Recently, 18^th East Asia Summit was held in Jakarta, Indonesia for making it a forum for all in order to strengthen cooperation.

What is East Asia Summit?

• East Asia Summit - It is the only leader-led forum at which all key partners meet to discuss political, security and economic challenges facing Indo-Pacific.
• The members represent 54% of the world’s population and account for 62% of global GDP.
• Regional forum- The East Asia Summit (EAS) is held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Oceanian regions, based on the ASEAN plus Six mechanism.
• Membership was expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the United States at the 6^th EAS in 2011.
• Member countries-
  • ASEAN countries- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam
  • Other countries- India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

• Cooperation- It is an important platform for building the convergence between ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative (IPOI).
• Meetings- EAS meetings are held after the annual ASEAN leaders' meetings, and plays an important role in the regional architecture of Asia-Pacific.
• First summit- Held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005.

What are the key outcomes of 18^th East Asia Summit?

• Statement- The summit adopted the EAS Leaders’ Statement on Maintaining and Promoting the Region as an Epicentrum of Growth.
• Peace and prosperity- The common interest to maintain, promote, and sustain peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, including through the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law.
• Bali principles- The summit reaffirmed its shared commitment to be guided by the principles for friendly and mutually beneficial relations as enshrined in the Bali Principles.
• ASEAN connectivity- Increase efforts in maritime connectivity by supporting  the vision and goals of the
  • Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025
  • ASEAN’s development of the Blue Economy
• Technology- To recognise the opportunities and challenges presented by the rapidly changing global and regional geopolitical and geo-economic landscapes, including the advancement in technology and the 4^th Industrial revolution.
• Education- The summit welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025 and its alignment with the 14 priority areas of education cooperation under the Manila Plan of Action.
• Global health issues- It reaffirmed the role of EAS in mitigating the COVID pandemic impact with ASEAN initiatives like ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).
• One Health Approach- To bolster regional preparedness and capability in preventing and addressing public health threat.
• Disaster management- Against emerging challenges and future shocks through cooperation on enhancing energy security and food security, maintaining financial stability, and strengthening regional health architecture.
• Strengthen partnership- Potential cross-sectoral collaborations to accelerate efforts in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Inclusive innovation- Advance women’s and youth’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, including through inclusive and equitable innovation, trade, business, human capital development, and financial inclusion.
• Climate change- Effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.
• Regional food security- Maintaining sustainable food production and distribution, strengthening climate-smart agriculture and enhance sustainable and resilient food supply chain.
• Support- ASEAN’s continuous efforts on the mainstreaming and implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) through the implementation of the East Asia Summit Plan of Action (2024-2028), and the follow up on the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum:

AOIP is ASEAN’s own initiative which is intended to enhance ASEAN Community building process, as well as strengthen and complement cooperation with all partners, as reflected in the East Asia Summit Plan of Action (2024-2028). It is adopted in Ha Noi Declaration 2020.

• Economic cooperation and trade- It reaffirmed its commitment to a rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, free, inclusive, fair, sustainable, equitable, and transparent multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core.
• South China Sea- It recognised sea as the symbol of peace, friendship, cooperation and stability.
• Ukraine war- It demanded complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russia from Ukraine.

What is the significance of the summit for India?

• ASEAN centrality- India reiterated the importance of the EAS mechanism, its support for ASEAN centrality and called for ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• Global challenges- India also called for a cooperative approach to address global challenges including terrorism, climate change, and resilient supply chains for essential items.
• QUAD- There is unison in the vision of India and ASEAN for the Indo-Pacific. ASEAN holds a central position in the vision of QUAD.
• Myanmar- India's policy in Myanmar takes into account ASEAN's views and reiterated its commitment to the Peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Climate change- India highlighted sustainable initiatives in the summit.
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA) – A joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ strategy
  • Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)
  • OSOWOG- One Sun One World One Grid - Laid down at the 1^st assembly of the ISA to create an interconnected green grid that will enable solar energy generation in regions with high potential

References

1. ASEAN- Leaders statement on epicentrum of growth
2. PIB- PM speech on EAS summit