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Joint Statement of the 3rd ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Meeting
date_range18 November, 2011

1. We, the Heads of State/Government of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the United States (U.S.), held our Third ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Meeting on 18 November 2011 in Bali. The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia in his capacity as Chairman of ASEAN, and the Honourable Barack Obama, President of the United States of America. The Secretary General of ASEAN was also in attendance. 2. Recognizing our shared vision of a stable, prosperous and resilient Southeast Asia and the mutual benefits of strengthened, broad-based political, security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation, we adopted the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-U.S. Enhanced Partnership for Enduring Peace and Prosperity 2011-2015. We noted with satisfaction the conclusion of the first Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-U.S. Enhanced Partnership for Enduring Peace and Prosperity (2006-2011) and the strengthening and deepening of ASEAN-U.S. cooperation, which has contributed to the enhancement of peace, stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia and the broader East Asian region. 3. We welcomed efforts to elevate the ASEAN-U.S. partnership to a strategic level. We noted the positive impact that the arrival of the first resident U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN, David L. Carden, and the establishment of the U.S. Mission to ASEAN have had on both program implementation and policy coordination. 4. ASEAN welcomed the participation of the President of the United States in the East Asia Summit and looked forward to a fruitful exchange of views on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia and beyond. We recalled the 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration, the 2010 Ha Noi Declaration, and looked forward to the adoption of the 2011 Declaration of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations, which reaffirms the broad vision, principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS. While welcoming continued efforts in the existing priority areas of cooperation under the EAS framework and promoting focused attention on disaster relief, we underscored the need for the EAS to address political and strategic issues, including nonproliferation, maritime security, food and energy security, as well as ASEAN Connectivity. We reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN as the driving force of the EAS, working in close partnership with the other participants and underscored the importance of regular participation at the highest level from all participating countries in the EAS. 5. ASEAN appreciated the substantial increase in high level U.S. engagement in ASEAN sectoral meetings and ASEAN-led fora, including the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). We encouraged efforts to strengthen coordination and create better synergies among relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, ARF, and the ADMM-Plus. We welcomed the establishment of the five ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups to facilitate cooperation in maritime security, counter terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations and military medicine. We noted the United States and Indonesia’s forward looking plans as co-chairs of the Counterterrorism Expert Working Group. 6. We recalled the importance of both the United States and ASEAN as engines of global economic activity and growth, and noted that ever closer economic ties are of crucial importance to both the United States and ASEAN, as well as the world. We noted the continued strength of two way trade and committed to redouble efforts to increase both two way trade and investment. Total trade between ASEAN and the United States showed a sharp rebound in 2010, recording an increase of 24.4% totaling $186.1 billion compared with the $149.6 billion in 2009. ASEAN exports to the United States increased by 27% to U.S. $85.6 billion while U.S. exports to ASEAN grew 22.3% to $100.5 billion in 2010. ASEAN and the United States remain each other’s fourth largest trading partner. We further noted that foreign direct investment (FDI) from the United States recorded significant increase of more than 100% in 2010. FDI flow from the United States amounted to $8.4 billion in 2010 compared with $4.1 billion in 2009. The U.S. remained as the third largest investor in ASEAN. 7. ASEAN Leaders acknowledged the United States’ economic engagement under the ASEAN-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA), noting that the TIFA has provided an important avenue for new initiatives and is a strong basis on which to expand ASEAN-U.S. engagement on trade and investment issues. We welcomed completion of our 2012 work plan, which includes the launch of two important initiatives on digital connectivity and the health care services sector in addition to continued cooperation on other issues including trade facilitation, trade and the environment, standards and regulatory harmonization, and trade finance. We look forward to progress on all of these issues in the coming year. We also expressed our common interest in expanding our commercial activities by holding a second ASEAN Ministers Road Show to the United States and an inaugural ASEAN–U.S. Business Forum in ASEAN, which will provide a platform for high-level public-private sector engagement and business-to-business linkages. 8. We welcomed the innovative and active collaboration between the United States, ASEAN, and ASEAN Member States to boost trade facilitation measures that will support ASEAN’s goal of a single economic community and production base by 2015. In particular, we welcomed the contributions of the United States in supporting both the development of National Single Windows in ASEAN Member States and the launch of the ASEAN Single Window pilot project to enable more efficient and secure trade within and with ASEAN. We recognized consistent United States support for the promotion and implementation of region wide technical and product standards to facilitate trade with and within ASEAN. 9. We welcomed the strong interest of the United States in supporting the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), and highlighted the unique competencies the United States Government and American business can deploy in support of the MPAC in the areas of transportation, energy, and information technology connectivity. We looked forward to launching the ASEAN-U.S. Connectivity Cooperation Initiative, supported by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), which will initially focus in the coming year on cooperative activities in the above-mentioned sectors. 10. ASEAN congratulated the United States on hosting a successful Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2011, notably for advancing its agenda for sustainable growth, increasing trade and job creation. We discussed economic challenges that pose threats to global economic recovery, food and energy security, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In particular, we reaffirmed our commitment to prevent protectionism and to achieve strong, sustainable, and balanced growth. We stressed that global financial turmoil and elevated commodity prices underscore the urgency for continued attention through policy coordination. We reaffirmed that the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) would continue to be a priority for ASEAN and the United States. ASEAN welcomed the successful conclusion of the United States-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement and the progress of the Trans-Pacific Partnership as strong signals of the United States’ global commitment to promoting free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific region. 11. We welcomed the outcome of the recent G-20 Leaders Summit meeting in Cannes on November 3-4, 2011, and pledged to take coordinated actions to strengthen the global recovery, reinforce financial sector stability, maintain open markets, and build a foundation for strong, sustainable, and balanced growth. 12. We recognized the joint commitment by the United States and ASEAN to create an environment of strong intellectual property rights creation, commercialization, protection, and enforcement. We commended past and on-going cooperative activities between ASEAN and the United States in the provision of technical assistance and capacity-building, the commitment by ASEAN to achieve effective intellectual property protection and enforcement consistent with mutually agreed international standards and international agreements to which ASEAN Member States are parties, and cooperation in the enforcement against global intellectual property crime. Noting ASEAN’s commitment to the ASEAN Intellectual Property Rights Action Plan 2011-2015, we looked forward to the progress resulting from cooperation and capacity-building in fighting trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy and to the development and strengthening of intellectual property rights regimes. 13. We announced the launch of a new $10 million cooperative program aimed at boosting ASEAN capacity to meet its food security objectives. The MARKET program will directly support the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) framework and associated Strategic Plan of Action for Food Security (SPA-FS), emphasizing enhanced trade facilitation as well as improved farmer and policy-maker access to information and technology, in partnership with the private sector. We acknowledged that improved agricultural innovation and trade will improve the lives of ASEAN citizens by increasing food supplies to the areas that need it most. 14. We welcomed the continued high-level ASEAN-U.S. consultations on energy. We agreed to sustain cooperation on energy efficiency and conservation, and launch new cooperation in renewable energy, civilian nuclear energy and natural gas. Our senior officials will finalise a mutually beneficial ASEAN-U.S. Energy Cooperation Work Plan based on their consultations in September 2011. Implementation of the Work Plan will expand and enhance the scope of ASEAN-U.S. cooperation. We welcomed the inaugural attendance of U.S. officials at an EAS Energy Ministerial. 15. Recalling the Bali Roadmap, we reiterated our strong commitment to address climate change issues and work together to secure a balanced and comprehensive outcome in Durban in accordance with and reflective of the objectives, principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). We noted U.S. support for green growth in ASEAN through its facilitation of ASEAN’s inaugural trade and environment dialogue, and agreed to continue cooperation on green growth, environment, climate change and biodiversity. We welcomed further U.S. support for ASEAN’s Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) initiative. 16. Given the high human and economic cost of natural and human-made disasters in the region, we recognized the unique role ASEAN disaster management and response efforts play in promoting a sense of ASEAN community and relevance among its populations. We highlighted consistent ASEAN-U.S. collaboration on disaster management and response in support of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme. We welcomed the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment and formal launch of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) and decided to promote the AHA Centre as a key element in regional disaster management and response capability. We welcomed U.S. assistance in advancing ASEAN implementation of an all hazard disaster monitoring and response system. We welcomed U.S. efforts to promote mechanisms to facilitate disaster relief in the region, and we took note of the U.S.-proposed Rapid Disaster Response agreement, which outlines a legal and procedural bilateral framework to accelerate the deployment and acceptance of assistance personnel, supplies, and services in the event of disasters. 17. We reaffirmed our shared interests on the importance of regional peace and stability. In this context, the Leaders underscored the importance of maritime security to regional peace, security and prosperity and noted the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded commerce in accordance with the relevant universally agreed principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other agreed international maritime law. We welcomed the deepening promotion of ASEAN-U.S. cooperation on maritime issues, including maritime security, search and rescue, and safety of navigation in the region through promotion of capacity building, information sharing and technology cooperation and explore the possibility of utilising such venues as the ASEAN Maritime Forum. In this regard, we took note of the outcome of the 2nd ASEAN Maritime Forum held in Pattaya, Thailand on 17-19 August 2011 and appreciated the Philippines’ proposal to host the 3rd ASEAN Maritime Forum in 2012. We took note of the U.S. initiative on Southeast Asia Maritime Partnership (SAMP) that aims to enhance maritime cooperation in the region. 18. We reaffirmed our support for the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea and welcomed the adoption of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the DOC, including the eventual conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. 19. We reaffirmed the importance of regional peace and stability, maritime security, unimpeded commerce, and freedom of navigation, continued constructive dialogue, in accordance with relevant universally agreed principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international maritime law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. 20. We recognized the grave risks posed by proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons materials, their means of delivery, and expertise, and reaffirmed our common vision of a world without nuclear weapons. ASEAN Leaders welcomed the United States commitment on global nuclear disarmament and its leading role in promoting global cooperative efforts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as a contribution to regional peace and stability. We decided to expand existing engagement between the United States and ASEAN aimed at strengthening Southeast Asian countries’ capabilities to prevent illicit transfers of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), their means of delivery, and related materials and technologies across borders, as well as reducing the spread of dangerous biological pathogens. We discussed the importance of implementing all United Nations Security Council resolutions addressing nonproliferation and disarmament. We committed to implement the action plan adopted by the May 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and we stressed the necessity for all NPT Parties to continue to fulfill their respective obligations under the NPT. In this regard, we committed to the universalization of the IAEA Additional Protocol as soon as possible. We welcomed the conclusion of negotiations with the Nuclear Weapons States to enable the Nuclear Weapons States to accede to the Protocol to the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. The Nuclear Weapons States and ASEAN agreed to take the necessary steps to enable the signing of the Protocol and its entry into force at the earliest opportunity. ASEAN also expressed appreciation for U.S. support of the ASEAN-sponsored United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution on SEANWFZ, which was adopted by consensus at the 66th UNGA. We reiterated the importance of a full and non-selective application and implementation of the NPT’s three pillars – nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 21. We reaffirmed the critical importance to regional and global security of the complete verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We called on the DPRK to comply fully with its commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six Party Talks and obligations in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs and return, at an early date, to the NPT and to IAEA safeguards. To this end, we noted the ARF Retreat in July 2011 in Bali enabled a conducive atmosphere in which the Republic of Korea and DPRK, both ARF members, were able to conduct dialogue, which is indispensable to the resumption of the Six Party Talks. 22. We resolved to deepen cooperation against international terrorism under the framework of the ASEAN-U.S. Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism and the UN Global Counterterrorism Strategy. We requested our concerned officials to identify and implement actions towards this goal. 23. We decided to strengthen efforts to prevent and combat other transnational crimes, such as illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, money laundering, arms smuggling, sea piracy, armed robbery against ships, international economic crime and cyber crime, in accordance with national laws and regulations. 24. ASEAN welcomed the U.S. support in realizing an ASEAN Community with adherence to the rule of law, the principles of democracy, the promotion and protection of human rights, and respect for fundamental freedom, with due regard to the rights and responsibilities of the ASEAN Member States. We resolved to enhance cooperation with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission of Human Rights (AICHR) and noted the successful visit of the AICHR to the United States in November 2010. ASEAN looked forward to the support from the United States to the 5-Year Work Plan of the AICHR. ASEAN further welcomed the invitation for the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children to visit the United States in 2012. 25. We highlighted continued efforts by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) to combat trafficking in persons and welcomed more cooperation between ASEAN and the United States including through capacity building for law enforcement agencies to prevent trafficking throughout the region and training in victim identification and protection. We welcomed ASEAN’s official endorsement of and participation in the U.S.-supported MTV EXIT — End Exploitation and Trafficking — campaign in Southeast Asia, which raises awareness of the problem by reaching millions of ASEAN youth through symposia, live concerts, and regional and local television, radio and online content. 26. ASEAN welcomed the United States interest to support the ASEAN’s youth volunteer programme to enable citizens in ASEAN Member States to deploy to fellow Member States in support of programs in rural development, connectivity, and education. We welcomed the willingness of the U.S. to share its extensive experience in working with ASEAN counterparts to launch an effective, long-term program that will help ASEAN bridge its development gap and increase a sense of community among its peoples. 27. We were briefed by Myanmar on the recent political reforms and welcomed positive steps being taken in the country that could facilitate national reconciliation and reconsolidation, and encouraged further progress towards the promotion and protection of human rights, and a democratic and open political and economic system. ASEAN welcomed U.S. continuing engagement with the Government of Myanmar and the recent appointment of the U.S. Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Myanmar. 28. We welcomed increasing regional cooperation under the U.S.-Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) in the areas of environment, health, education and infrastructure development, which significantly contributes to quality of life and capacity building among the Lower Mekong Basin countries, and supports ASEAN’s aim of narrowing the development gap among its Member States. We encouraged the holding of regular LMI Ministerial Meetings and welcomed the establishment of the Friends of the Lower Mekong Meeting. We looked forward to U.S. support for other sub-regional cooperation frameworks in Southeast Asia. 29. We recognized the importance of science and technology as enabling factors for sustained economic development. We decided that the United States and ASEAN would work through the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) to identify ways to enhance cooperation. 30. We noted the central role education must play in ASEAN to safeguard the development of a secure, stable, and prosperous region. We acknowledged the United States role as a longstanding educational resource and destination for students from ASEAN, and highlighted the desirability of increased opportunities for two-way academic exchanges and programs. In furtherance of the ASEAN Education Work Plan, we looked forward to U.S. continued support for the ASEAN University Network (AUN), including through the implementation of an ASEAN studies course, which will be launched in ASEAN universities in 2012, and increased linkages between ASEAN and U.S. universities. ASEAN welcomed U.S. support for broadening English language training and learning in the ASEAN region. 31. We welcomed the announcement of the Partnership on English Language Education for ASEAN. This Partnership is a long-term commitment, open to the support of ASEAN Member States, to better unify the diverse members of ASEAN, improve English language capacity in the region and further support the Initiative for ASEAN Integration. 32. Through bilateral technical assistance programs between the United States and Brunei Darussalam and the United States and Singapore, we reaffirmed our commitment to further ASEAN’s development and connectivity goals. 33. We announced the members of the ASEAN-U.S. Eminent Persons Group, comprised of prominent individuals from all ASEAN Member States and the United States. The U.S. members of the Eminent Persons Group will be Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. Trade Representative from 1997 to 2001; Mr. Muhtar Kent, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company; and Ambassador J. Stapleton Roy, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore from 1984-86, Ambassador to China from 1991-95 and Ambassador to Indonesia from 1996-99. (U.S.) The Group is tasked to provide recommendations to the Leaders on how best to enhance engagement between ASEAN and the United States. 34. We acknowledged the consistent and productive engagement among officials from the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), the U.S. Mission to ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, and are committed to work together to boost the capacity of ASEAN to address regional challenges. ASEAN appreciated the U.S. Mission to ASEAN’s efforts in promoting frequent meetings and exchanges of views with visiting U.S. officials, which have enhanced common understanding of ASEAN and U.S. policies, and facilitated development and implementation of new programs. 35. We emphasized the importance of sustaining dialogue at the highest level and looked forward to the fourth ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Meeting in Cambodia in 2012.

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