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Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment
date_range27 November, 2007

The 11th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit chaired by H.E. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, was held on 21 November 2007 in Singapore. The Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member Countries had a productive meeting with H.E. Roh Moo-hyun, President of the Republic of Korea. We welcomed the recent progress made at the Six-Party Talks and expressed support for the Agreement on 3 October 2007 as another important step toward the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. We look forward to the DPRK disabling its nuclear facilities at Yongbyon, as well as its provision of a complete and correct declaration of all its nuclear programmes, by the end of 2007. We also expressed strong support for the full implementation of the Agreement by related Parties in an expeditious manner. We expressed support for continued momentum towards the early denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. We welcomed the 2007 Inter-Korean Summit as an important milestone toward consolidating peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, and agreed that the further development of inter-Korean relations would contribute to peace and stability in Northeast Asia. We also noted that ASEAN could play a constructive role to build bridges to North Korea, such as through the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), helping create an environment of trust and confidence conducive to the Six-Party Talks and DPRK’s further engagement with the international community. The ROK expressed appreciation for ASEAN’s support for the Six-Party Talks process. The ASEAN Leaders expressed appreciation to the ROK for its support of ASEAN’s efforts in accelerating ASEAN integration and narrowing the development gap, through the implementation of the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI). In this regard, the ASEAN Leaders expressed their appreciation for the ROK’s fresh contribution of USD 5 million to the IAI. The ASEAN Leaders also encouraged the ROK to support the sub-regional cooperation frameworks in the ASEAN region, such as Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). The ASEAN Leaders noted the importance of transport infrastructural development and encouraged ROK support for the completion of the Singapore-Kunming Railway Link (SKRL). We noted with satisfaction the steady progress achieved in the implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration of Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership signed by the Leaders in November 2004 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. We acknowledged the current challenges facing our region such as the threat of terrorism and other transnational crimes, emerging infectious diseases and natural disasters. We agreed to explore how ASEAN and the ROK can further strengthen cooperation in tackling these challenges. We affirmed our commitment to actively cooperate in addressing major global and transboundary challenges such as climate change and the environment. In this regard, the ASEAN Leaders encouraged the ROK to work with ASEAN on concrete projects on environmental cooperation such as the promotion of clean energy and energy efficiency. We noted the ROK’s expertise in natural gas vehicles and electric cars, nuclear energy technology and bio-fuel technology. We are also heartened by the commitment from ASEAN and the ROK to strengthen forestry cooperation and welcomed more concrete projects on sustainable forest management, combating illegal logging and encouraging biodiversity protection and conservation. We welcomed the conclusion and signing of the ASEAN-ROK Trade-in-Services Agreement. We agreed that the early implementation of the Agreement is essential for mutual economic benefits. We looked forward to the early conclusion of the investment agreement for a complete ASEAN-ROK FTA that would catalyse even stronger trade and investment links between us. We recognised the good developments in economic cooperation projects under the FTA, and encouraged more of such initiatives that will further enhance ASEAN-ROK economic partnership and cooperation. We recalled our agreement to pursue the establishment of the ASEAN-Korea Centre at the 10th ASEAN-ROK Summit and welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing an ASEAN-Korea Centre between ASEAN and the ROK by our Foreign Ministers. We agreed that the Centre in Seoul will enhance trade and investment, and promote tourism and cultural exchanges between both sides. We noted the ROK’s efforts in bridging the digital divide through various projects on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) cooperation, such as the implementation of ASEAN cooperation projects for programming, information technology management (ITM) and ubiquitous computing. We agreed that ASEAN could learn from the ROK’s expertise on this area. We welcomed the ROK’s proposal to deepen cooperation in the areas of education, rural technology, alternative energy, disaster management, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), ICT, finance and tourism. We agreed that ASEAN and the ROK can strengthen cooperation through closer involvement in regional processes such as the ASEAN+3, EAS, ARF and APEC. We noted the importance of the future generation in promoting ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations. Thus, we welcomed ongoing and enhanced opportunities for youth exchange on a regular basis. We welcomed Malaysia’s proposal to establish an ASEAN chair in one of the ROK universities to promote ASEAN studies among scholars. We also welcomed Malaysia’s proposal to establish an ASEAN-ROK Eminent Persons Group (EPG). The ASEAN Leaders noted that this was President Roh’s final appearance at the ASEAN-ROK Summit, and expressed their appreciation to President Roh for his personal commitment to deepen ASEAN-ROK dialogue relations and for his role in maintaining peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

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