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	ASEM9 information now available Information regarding the upcoming 9th ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held in Vientiane, Laos, is now available via the ASEM9 website. The website can be accessed here: www.asem9.la ASEM experts to discuss counter-terrorism strategies BY SHADA ISLAM -- Brussels - Asian and European counter-terrorism experts meet in Indonesia on December 12 for talks on reinforcing cooperation to combat radicalisation and extremism. Read More Human rights start at home The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and international human rights treaties are the minimum standards for human rights protection by national and regional bodies. This was a key message from over 120 civil society and government representatives at the 11th Informal Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Seminar on Human Rights, the largest multi-sector gathering on human rights between the two regions. Read More ASEM labour experts discuss jobs, social protection BY SHADA ISLAM -- Brussels - Asian and European experts meet in Hanoi this week to discuss the common challenge of creating jobs and strengthening social development in the drive for global economic recovery. Read More Encouraging ASEM Cooperation on One Health BY SHADA ISLAM -- With the world population now estimated at 7 billion, international attention has focused on the impact of the rising population on the battle against poverty, global food security and climate change. A more crowded world is also likely to be more vulnerable to emerging and rapidly-spreading infectious diseases. Read More POSTPONED: International Asia-Europe Conference on Enhancing Balanced Mobility Due to the recent developments in the flooding situation in Bangkok, Thailand, the International Asia-Europe Conference on Enhancing Balanced Mobility is postponed to a further date. More information on the revised dates will be posted once available. Chengdu Declaration on Green, Secure and Efficient Asia-Europe Connection Transport Ministers from Asia and Europe produced the Chengdu Declaration on Green, Secure and Efficient Asia-Europe Connection during the 2nd ASEM Transport Ministers Meeting held in Chengdu, China (26 October 2011). Ministers pledged closer cooperation on transport issues between the two regions. Working Together Towards Green Economies The ASEM Green Growth Forum concluded in Hanoi, Vietnam last 4 October 2011. H.E. Mr. Vu Van Ninh, Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam stressed the importance of Green Growth as mankind's future development pattern and called for ASEM's greater efforts and cooperation towards green economies. Read More 9th ASEM Counter-terrorism Conference to be held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (December 2011) Indonesia is pleased to host the 9th ASEM Conference on Counter-Terrorism in Yogyakarta, 12-13 December 2011 under the heading "improving community counter-terrorism initiatives". Read More 7th ASEM Interfaith Dialogue on Migration concludes in Manila The 7th Interfaith Dialogue of the Asia-Europe Meeting (also known as the "ASEM-IFD7") was concluded today (14 October 2011) with the issuance of The Manila Statement on ASEM Interfaith Dialogue on Migration. Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay was the Keynote Speaker for the event. Read More 4th ASEM Labour and Employment Ministers' Conference to be held in Vietnam The 4th ASEM Labour and Employment Ministers' Conference will be hosted by the Government of Vietnam. The 4th ASEM LEMC will take place in Hanoi in October 2012. ASEM inter-faith dialogue to focus on challenge of multi-culturalism BY SHADA ISLAM -- Brussels : The challenge of building and living in multi-cultural societies will be high on the agenda at an ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) inter-faith dialogue to be held in Manila on October 13-14. Read More Green growth on agenda of Asia-Europe Meeting BY SHADA ISLAM -- Brussels : Senior European and Asian officials meet in Hanoi on October 3-4 for the Green Growth Forum, an ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) initiative to discuss moves towards a green, low-carbon economy. Read More Online Registration for the 2nd ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting The 2nd ASEM Transport Ministers' Meeting (2nd ASEM-TMM) will be held in Chengdu, China from 24-26 October 2011. Interested parties may visit the official 2nd ASEM TMM website for registration details and further information. Postponed: 4th ASEM Environment Ministers' Meeting The upcoming 4th ASEM Environment Ministers' Meeting to take place in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia, has been postponed to the second half of May 2012. More information will be posted once available. Available: The Asia-Europe Meeting: Contributing to a New Global Governance Architecture The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process was designed in 1996 to bring Asia and Europe closer together. The Asia-Europe Meeting: Contributing to a New Global Governance Architecture focuses on the discussions and results of the eighth ASEM Summit that took place in October 2010 in Brussels. Read More ASEM partners to meet on immigration By SHADA ISLAM - (Brussels August 31, 2011) - Senior Asian and European officials meet in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, next week for discussions on the two regions' shared challenge of dealing with immigration and preventing people trafficking. Read More Asian and European lessons for the Middle East By SHADA ISLAM - As the Arab spring turns into summer and autumn, European and Asian policymakers can share experiences with their Arab counterparts on the democratic transformation of former communist eastern Europe and the transition to democracy in three leading Asian nations: Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea. Read more ASEM dialogue needed on violent extremism BY SHADA ISLAM - The recent massacres in Norway highlight the urgent need for an intelligent, well-informed international debate on the shared challenge of countering violent extremism. Read More Singapore to host ASEM Seminar on Nuclear Safety in 2012 At the 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Godollo, Hungary (6-7 June 2011), Singapore Foreign Minister Mr K Shanmugam proposed to host the 1st ASEM Seminar on Nuclear Safety in Singapore for 2012. Given the recent crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Foreign Ministers of the ASEM countries agreed that there was a need to enhance cooperation between Asia and Europe on nuclear safety. More information on the event will be posted once available. 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting - Chair's Statement Tenth ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting -- "Working together on non-traditional security challenges" -- provided the opportunity for the Ministers to address relevant issues of common interest in this important field, which due to their transnational character have substantial implications for the prosperity, security and stability of both Europe and Asia, thus requiring a joint response through the multifaceted partnership of ASEM. Read the Chair's Statement from the 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting. 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Godollo For the first time, non-traditional security challenges are the focus of the 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The meeting, which began yesterday at the Grassalkovich Castle in Godollo, near the Hungarian capital Budapest, covered issues ranging from piracy, food security, counter-terrorism, and nuclear safety. Asia-Europe Meeting to address "non-traditional" security threats By SHADA ISLAM -- (Brussels) - Asian and European foreign ministers meet in Budapest June 6-7 for talks on new security challenges, including cyber crime, food security, water management and piracy at sea. Read More Chair's Conclusions and Recommendations from the 3rd ASEM Meeting of Education Ministers ASEM education ministers agreed on 29 activities to further shape the ASEM education area. Take a look at the Chair's Conclusions to find out about the future agenda. Media Accreditation for 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting: If you are a journalist and wish to cover the upcoming 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Budapest, kindly visit the Hungarian EU Presidency Website to apply for Media Accreditation. A copy of the preliminary press programme and practical information can be found there as well! Malaysia to Host 4th Asia-Europe Education Ministers' Meeting in 2013 Malaysia's bid to host the 4th Asia-Europe Education Ministers' Meeting (ASEMME) in 2013 was endorsed during the 3rd ASEMME in Copenhagen on 10 May 2011. Education Ministers from members of ASEM meet once every two years to discuss strengthening cooperation and partnership in education. The ASEMME began in 2008 with the first meeting in Berlin, and subsequently followed up with the second meeting in 2009 in Hanoi. ASEM DUO-Korea is now open for applications DUO-Korea 2011 is open for applications from April 18 until May 19, 2011 Korea local time.The DUO-Korea programme is sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology with the aim to promote exchanges of people between Korean and European ASEM member nationals on a balanced and permanent basis. Read More ASEM Senior Officials' Meeting to be held in Godollo / Budapest, Hungary Hungary will be hosting the next ASEM Senior Officials' Meeting and ASEM Coordinators' Meeting in Godollo and Budapest from 18 to 19 April, 2011, in lieu of the SOM scheduled for Tokyo in March. Postponement of ASEM Senior Officials' Meeting and Coordinators' Meeting in Tokyo (March 2011) In light of the earthquake and tsunami which occurred off the northeastern region of Japan, the ASEM Senior Officials' Meeting scheduled for 28-29 March 2011 in Tokyo will be postponed to a later date. The rescheduled date and venue of the SOM will be posted once they are available. Designing the Way Ahead ASEM Senior Officials on Trade and Investment met informally at the Egmont Palace in Brussels from 15 to 16 February 2011 and identified new activities to promote sustainable development in countries of the ASEM. Read the full report. The (Hungarian) presidency takes action to develop the connections between the EU and Asia The strengthening of the partnership and cooperation between the EU and countries of Asia is of special significance, stated Zsolt Nemeth, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in the Ministry of Foreign affairs in the EU - Japan Symposium held on 3 March 2011. The main topic of the event was the economic, political and security cooperation, between Asian countries and the European Union, through the enhancement by the Asia - Europe Meeting (ASEM). Read the full press communique. (External link) The ASEM Process to be discussed at the EU-Japan Symposium The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary is holding the EU-Japan Symposium, entitled "Europe and Asia in the Globalizing World" today, 3 March 2011 in Budapest. The ASEM process will be discussed during the third session, which will deal with cooperation between the two regions. Download a copy of the program. Presentations available The presentations for the ASEM Conference "Investment and its Financing" held in Mumbai, India last 16-17 December 2010 are now available for download here. Investment and its Financing: What causes private investment to remain relatively low in Asia? The Reserve Bank of India and the European Commission are organising the conference "Investment and its Financing: What causes private investment to remain relatively low in Asia?". The conference will be taking place at Trident Hotel Nariman Point, Mumbai, India, on 16-17 December 2010. Read More Launching Ceremony of the ASEM Eco-City Network Urban planning and construction is an important element of sustainable development. Building eco-cities as an effective approach to addressing the global environment issue, will help to promote sustainable development and to establish a harmonious relationship between man and nature. ASEM partners have gained some experience in building eco-cities, and have their own respective advantages. ASEM City Leaders Swap Strategies on Planning A conference of city officials in the Asia-Europe Meeting ended on Friday in Jakarta with a discussion of the various initiatives taken by cities toward sustainable urban development. Read More Laos to Host ASEM9 in 2012 During the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit of Heads of Government and State, Laos Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh announced the intention of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to host the next ASEM Summit in 2012. Likewise, leaders present at the Summit welcomed the offer from Laos, as stated in the Chairman's Statement from the meeting. Greater well-being and more dignity for all citizens The 8th ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government wrapped up yesterday in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders present at the Summit outlined their points of consensus in the Chairman's Statement, entitled "Greater well-being and more dignity for all citizens". Read the Final Chairman's Statement and the Brussels Declaration on More Effective Global Economic Governance. Financial markets the focus of the Asia-Europe Business Forum This year's 12th edition of the Asia-Europe Business Forum (AEBF), which was coordinated by the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB), was held in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday in the prestigious setting of Egmont Palace, in parallel with the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Practically all 46 ASEM partner countries were represented by top level executives from the financial sector, industry at large and influential policy makers. The event was on invitation only and around 185 participants contributed to the debate. Read More Does ASEM Matter? THE JAKARTA POST - The eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) will bring together 48 Asian and European leaders in Brussels, Belgium, on Oct. 4-5. While the world is still facing global challenges such as the economic downturn and security threats, the summit is pivotal for finding an exit from the crises. Read More 8 Points for ASEM8 The 4th Connecting Civil Societies Conference, an official side event of the ASEM8 organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), brought together over 150 experts and various civil society groups in an effort to bridge "real peoples" between Asia and Europe. Participants discussed a broad range of topics and issues related to Asia-Europe cooperation, and produced "8 Points for ASEM", their recommendations for further relations between both regions. Read More Civil societies bring recommendations to ASEM leaders Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) decided on Sunday to bring new civil societies' recommendations to leaders of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Read More ASEM: from words to action? BY SHADA ISLAM, GER-BART EGBERTS, CHER SUET-YI LAI - Two years ago at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing, leaders from both regions vowed joint action to rebuild the battered global economy. "We swim together, or we sink together," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told his ASEM counterparts. Read More Media monitoring of ASEM As the 8th ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government approaches, the news coverage of ASEM grows heavier. The ASEM InfoBoard is monitoring all articles related to ASEM and ASEM8 through its "ASEM in the News" page. Do visit the page frequently for updates from various media in the world on the ASEM! Press Release on the ASEM 8 Summit On Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 October 2010, the prestigious premises of the Royal Palace located in the centre of Brussels will be home to the eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 8). The Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, led by the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Steven Vanackere, is in charge of Summit preparations. A look behind the scenes of the ASEM Summit PRESS RELEASE (http://www.eutrio.be) The 8th ASEM (Asia-Europe meeting) Summit will take place on October 4th and 5th 2010. This summit is held every two years, sometimes in Asia, sometimes in Europe. It is indisputably the most important event organised within the framework of this Presidency. There is an aspect of this meeting that few people will tell you about: its organisation. In practice, what does such a summit involve in terms of preparations? Where is ASEM heading? By Yeo Lay Hwee, TodayOnline - A comprehensive partnership between Asia and Europe but the dialogue could be deeper. Read More Economic challenges as a global opportunity to promote the quality of life of our populations The ASEP Parliamentarians deemed it important to take up the economic challenges and the economic and financial crisis as an opportunity to achieve greater wellbeing and dignity for all citizens, to raise the quality of life and to address what really matters to our societies and populations in Europe and Asia. Read more from the Final Statement of the 6th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) which concluded on 26 September 2010. Sustainable Development at ASEM8 The Heads of States and Governments of European and Asian Countries, the European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat that are the members of ASEM will meet on 4-5 October in Brussels. During this 8th ASEM Summit, an important part of the discussions will be devoted to the issue of Sustainable Development. This topic has been recently addressed in Indonesia at the second ASEM Development Conference. In view of the upcoming ASEM8 Summit, you are invited to consult the final report of the ASEM Development Conference here. Read More Recommendations on Heritage Awareness and Conservation The 4th ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting, which recently concluded on 10 Sept in Poznan, Poland, discussed the issue of heritage awareness and conservation. During the meeting, several workshops were held to discuss these issues, in which participants produced recommendations. Read all about them EU for Asia Brussels Briefing: Asia-Europe Meeting: priorities and challenges - Event report and recommendations now available The European Policy Centre held a special pre-summit "Brussels Briefing" as part of its contribution to the Europe-Asia Policy Forum, an initiative which is funded by the EU and includes the EPC, the International Institute for Asian Studies in the Netherlands, the Asia Europe Foundation and the Singapore Institute for International Affairs. The recommendations from the briefings are now available here. Panel Discussion: Europe and Asia - dynamic regions, mutual visions You are cordially invited to attend a panel discussion on Europe and Asia - dynamic regions, mutual visions on 29 September 2010 at Orchard Hotel (10.15am - 2.00pm). The event is jointly organised by the Delegation of the European Union in Singapore, the EU Centre in Singapore, the Belgian Presidency of the EU and the Asia-Europe Foundation. The EU Centre in Singapore will also be launching a new book, co-published with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, The Asia-Europe Meeting: Engagement, Enlargement and Expectations at the event. To register, please email or call Jonathan at +65 6336 7919 by 27 September 2010. A fresh start for ASEM or how to revive Asia-Europe relations BY SHADA ISLAM -- Preparations for the eighth ASEM summit to be held in Brussels this October must focus on building a stronger and more effective Asia-Europe partnership to tackle key global challenges. Read More Culture Ministers Focus On Issues Of Heritage Conservation Bandar Seri Begawan - Culture ministers from Asia and Europe have agreed that the need for collective action in maintaining, supporting and spreading awareness of heritage treasures is a major step in addressing the problems of ignorance and prejudice and therefore, have declared their support for strong collaborative relationships that can contribute to a harmonious society. Read More ASEM Focuses On Coping With Climate Change QUANG NINH (Vietnam), Sept 7 (Bernama) - ASEM countries need to increase bilateral and multilateral cooperation to respond more effectively to climate change, as the results of previous socio-economic and environmental protection cannot compensate for the possible losses caused by the impacts of climate change, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported. Read More The ASEM Culture Ministers Meeting The 4th ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting is taking place from 8-10 September in Poznan. Originally entitled, ASEM Conference on Cultures and Civilisations (COCC), the ASEM Culture Ministers Meeting occurs every two or three years to discuss cultural diversity and cooperation between Asia and Europe. Click to read more about the history of the ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting from its beginnings in 2003. Read More 3rd ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting - Final Statement As a reference to the upcoming 4th ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting to be held in Poznan, Poland, here is the Final Chairman's Statement from the previous 3rd ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in April 2008. NZ joins powerful EU-Asia forum New Zealand has become a new member of an influential grouping, the Asia-Europe Meeting, the first forum that connects New Zealand closely to the European Union. Read More NGOs want Asia-Europe Meeting to be pro-environment MANILA, Philippines-European countries must decrease their carbon emission and civil society groups that will participate in the Asia-Europe People's Forum (AEPF) want the heads of state and government from the two continents to come out with a strong statement for the environment. Read More 2nd ASEM Development Conference Conference Report now available The Conference Report from the 2nd ASEM Development Conference held last 26-27 May in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is now available for download. Social cohesion, democracy and human rights BY SHADA ISLAM - Building an inclusive society where all citizens have access to jobs, health, education and housing, where democracy prevails and human rights are respected remains the over-arching goal in most parts of the world. As the economic crisis takes its toll, however, achieving social cohesion is getting even more difficult, both in Asia and Europe. Read more Building bridges through more people to people contacts BY SHADA ISLAM - Times change. Foreign relations used to be the exclusive domain of governments. Foreign ministries operated behind closed doors. Diplomats met other government officials, attended receptions and once in a while hosted a "cultural event" showcasing national folk music and dance. Read more Tackling the challenge of global governance reform BY SHADA ISLAM -- Two years ago at their meeting in Beijing, Asian and European leaders vowed joint action to rebuild the battered global economy. "We swim together, or we sink together," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told the ASEM summit. Can that message of solidarity and pledge of collective action be repeated again when Asia-Europe leaders gather in Brussels on October 4-5? Read more Europe and Asia as global security actors BY SHADA ISLAM -- Asia-Europe relations used to be about business, not politics. The emergence of the Southeast Asian "tiger" economies in the 1980s and Europe's quest for a share of the region's booming market helped spur the drive for closer Asia-Europe relations and the launch in Bangkok in 1996 of ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting), an informal platform for discussion between the two sides. Read more A new Asia-Europe partnership for development BY SHADA ISLAM -- It used to be fairly simple - but it did not get results. Aid from rich industrialized countries to poorer ones was seen as the key to growth and development. Ministers and officials spent hours haggling over aid packages and critics routinely referred "hand-outs" to poor countries. Read more Yogyakarta Statement on Asia-Europe cooperation agreed at ASEM Development Conference At the ASEM Development Conference II, 26-27 May in Indonesia, more than 200 high-level participants held discussions on the future of Asia-Europe cooperation for sustainable development. The key outcome was the Yogyakarta Statement, to be presented as input to the 8th ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government which will take place in Brussels, 4-5 October 2010. The Statement makes a number of recommendations on the main themes of the conference, such as climate change and low-carbon development, social cohesion, and policy coherence for development. The Yogyakarta Statement can be downloaded here. POSTPONED: Launching Ceremony of ASEM Eco-city Network & Workshop on Network Operation Mechanism The Launching Ceremony of ASEM Eco-city Network & Workshop on Network Operation Mechanism, to be held in Tianjin, China, on 13-14 May 2010, will be postponed to a later date. The ASEM InfoBoard will update the information once available. 9th ASEM Finance Ministers' Meeting Final Statement now available The Final Statement from the recently concluded 9th ASEM Finance Ministers' Meeting is now available for download here. Agenda for the 9th ASEM Finance Ministers' Meeting (FinMM) now available The Agenda / Programme of Events for the 9th ASEM Finance Ministers' Meeting (FinMM), held in Madrid, Spain on 17-18 April 2010, is now available online here. ASEM 8 Website The 8th ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will be held 4-5 October 2010 this year, now has an official website: www.asem8.be The 6th ASEM Interfaith Dialogue: Madrid Statement and Recommendations The Madrid Statement of the recently concluded 6th ASEM Interfaith Dialogue held last 7-9 April 2010 in Madrid/Toledo, is now available online, together with the recommendations made during the 8th Journalists' Colloquium, organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). Winners of the ASEM Interfaith Cultural Photography Contest The winners for the ASEM Interfaith Cultural Photography Contest were selected last 8 January 2010. Winners will be awarded on 5 February 2010 and winning works will be exhibited at the Library Floor of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre in Thailand. ASEM Workshop on Building an Inclusive Information Society - Joint Statement by Participants The ASEM Workshop on Building an Inclusive Information Society was held last 1-2 December 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, co-hosted by the European Commission and the Government of Malaysia. ASEM Workshop on Cooperation of Capacity Building of Disaster Relief The Ministry of Civil Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China jointly hosted the "ASEM Workshop on Cooperation of Capacity Building of Disaster Relief" from 27 to 30 May 2009 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China. 7th ASEM Conference on Counter-Terrorism - Chairman's Statement The 7th ASEM Conference on Counter-Terrorism was held in Manila, Philippines on 22-23 June 2009. The Conference was chaired by Mr. Ricardo Blancaflor, Undersecretary of the Department of Justice and Spokesperson of the Anti-Terrorism Council of the Philippines. ASEM 9th Foreign Ministers Meeting - Chair's Statement Foreign Ministers from ASEM partners, European Commissioner for External Relation and ASEAN Secretary-General conducted candid, open and productive discussions on many important international and regional issues, enhancing cooperation between the two continents and making ASEM more effective and united in diversity. Please read and download the full Chair's Statement here. Agenda on ASEM Finance Deputies Meeting The latest draft agenda of this meeting, to be held on 19th June 2008 in Madrid, Spain, is available here. ASEM Forum on Marine Fisheries - Newsletter The newsletter on the ASEM Forum Towards Enhanced Cooperation and Better Understanding of Marine Fisheries, held in Brussels, Belgium on 28 and 29 April 2009 has now been published. Download here. ASEM Forum on Marine Fisheries - Press Release This document contains useful information for the press on the ASEM Forum event to be held in Brussels, Belgium on 28 and 29 April 2009. Read and download here. ASEM Development Conference: Joint Chair's Statement This statement summarises the pertinent discussions held at the Conference titled "Towards Sustainable Development", held on 20-21 April 2009 in Manila, the Philippines. Read and download here. ASEM Forum on Marine Fisheries - Briefing Paper for Exhibitors at the 16th Annual European Seafood Exposition This document provides background on the ASEM Forum on Marine Fisheries which is running in parallel with the Seafood Exposition (28-29 April 2009). Both events take place in Brussels and delegates from ASEM will visit the exposition on April 29. Download here. ASEM Forum on Marine Fisheries - Background Feature This feature provides a background feature on the event to be held in Brussels, Belgium on 28 and 29 April 2009. It was written by an independent journalist and is offered free for media use. Read more and download ASEM Forum on Marine Fisheries - Final Agenda The final agenda for the ASEM Forum Towards Enhanced Cooperation and Better Understanding of Marine Fisheries, to be held in Brussels, Belgium on 28 and 29 April 2009 has now been published. Download here. Background Information: ASEM Development Conference 2009 This document provides background info for the press related to the ASEM high-level conference on sustainable development (20-21 April 2009, Manila, the Philippines). Read and download here. Press Release Available: ASEM Development Conference 2009 This document contains useful information for the press related to the ASEM high-level conference on sustainable development (20-21 April 2009, Manila, the Philippines). Download here (PDF). The Summary Report for ASEM Seminar on New Technologies for Demining and Human Security The Seminar gave an opportunity to countries affected by the problem of landmines and countries producing demining-related technologies to exchange views, share their experiences in mine action, as well as to encourage technology producers and experts to come together focusing on innovative solutions to old problems. For the full report, click here. Information on 2nd ASEM Education Ministers' Meeting The Meeting's agenda and other detailed information are now available. Please click here. ASEM Seminar on New Technologies for Demining and Human Security The project's programme and other information is now available on this website. Please click here . Youth Interfaith Camp More information is now available on this upcoming initiative hosted by the Government of Thailand. Please click here to read more. Happy New Year As the festive season is approaching, we at the ASEM InfoBoard administration desk wish all visitors beautiful holiday moments and a coming year of peace, happiness and prosperity. Registration for ASEM Seminar on Cultural Expressions The organisers of ASEM Seminar on "Preserving and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions: Sharing Asian and European Experiences" is now inviting all interested organisations and individuals to take part in this event, by registering online. Read more.... Outcomes from ASEM 7 Focusing on the concrete and pragmatic outcomes, ASEM 7 produced the following important documents: The Chair's Statement, Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development, and Statement on the International Financial Situation. To download these documents, please click here. ASEM 7 Media Accreditation The 7th ASEM Summit's organiser has provided detailed information on accreditation process for journalists interested to cover the Meeting. Read more. Website of ASEM 7 Information on ASEM 7, to be held in Beijing China on 24-25 October this year, is now available at the Meeting's official website www.asem7.cn Amsterdam Statement on Interfaith Dialogue The delegates present at the 4th ASEM Interfaith Dialogue (3-5 June 2008 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands) renewed their commitment to deepening and broadening the Interfaith Dialogue for the benefit of a peaceful and fruitful Asia-Europe relationship and underscored the importance of consolidating the Interfaith Dialogue as an annual ASEM event. Read more... 1st ASEM Ministerial Meeting on Education and Qualification - Chairman's Statement The outcome of this ASEM Conference of Ministers responsible for education is summarised in the Chairman's Statement, now available for viewing. 6th ASEM Conference on Counter-Terrorism - Chairman's Statement The Conference, co-hosted by Spain and Indonesia, was held in Madrid on 3-4 April 2008. The conclusions of the Meeting, reflected in its Chairman's Statement, can be read here. Call for Application: Second Asia-Europe Youth Interfaith Dialogue The Asia-Europe Foundation and the Indonesian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs, as well as the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), are calling for applications for the project. Registration is open until 25 May 2008. For details, please click here. SOMTI 11 - Chairman's Statement The Eleventh ASEM Senior Officials Meeting on Trade and Investment (SOMTI 11) was held in Maribor, Slovenia on 15-16 April 2008, chaired jointly by the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union and the European Commission. Click here to view the outcome of the Meeting. The Fourth ASEM Interfaith Dialogue Website The website for this fourth round of ASEM Interfaith Dialogue is now running. Please visit www.interfaith2008.com. Tentative Programme for ASEM Conference - Asia Europe and the Future of Regional Economic Integration Please see the tentative topics of discussion and programme for the Conference here. Information and Registration for 6th ASEM Counter-Terrorism Conference Registration for the above conference, to be hosted in Madrid on 3-4 April 2008, is now open until 10 March 2008. For more information on the Conference's objectives, agenda and registration details, please click here. Report from Second ASEM workshop on HIV/AIDS The copy of newsletter and report from the Second ASEM workshop on HIV/AIDS has been released. You can download it here. ASEM 7th Customs DG Commissioner Meeting Yokohama Declaration is an important document as a future direction of customs in ASEM countries that has been adopted at the above meeting in Yokohama, Japan. A copy of the document is available here. 8th ASEM Finance Ministers' Meeting (FinMM) The date of the Meeting has been confirmed to be 16 June 2008 and to take place in Jeju Island, Korea. It will be preceded by ASEM Finance Deputies' Meeting on 15 June 2008 at the same venue. For more information, please click here. ASEM Workshop on Avian Influenza Control - Concept Paper The concept paper and tentative programme of this workshop has been released and is now available on the InfoBoard. Please click here. Employment Workshops Related to the Restoration of Cultural Heritage and the Environment - Conclusion The conclusion and some photos from the Initiative is available for online viewing and download. Please click here. Nanjing Statement on Interfaith Dialogue The outcome from the Third ASEM Interfaith Dialogue has been released and is now available on the InfoBoard. Please click here. Documents from 8th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting The final Chairman's Statement and Press Release are now available for viewing and download. Please click here. 2nd ASEM HIV/AIDS Workshop - More documents available Event information, programme, brief on the study visit and the Newsletter are now available. Please click here. Final document from Fifth ASEM Conference on Counter-Terrorism The Chair's Summary of the above-mentioned event is now available for reading and download. To read the web-based text, please click here. 3rd ASEM Environment Ministers' Meeting Declaration of the 3rd ASEM Environment Ministers' Meeting has been released and is now available on the InfoBoard. Please click here. ASEM Working Group on Intellectual Property: Meeting on Geographical Indications The meeting, co-facilitated by Thailand and France, was held on 30 June 2006 in Bangkok (Thailand), focusing on Geographical Indications. The final programme, presentations and outcome of this projects are now available here. ASEM Seminar on Regionalism vs Universalism in Global Order Poland hosted this event on 27-30 September 2006 in Jachranka, as part of its initiative to create ASEM Diplomatic Academies Network. Short summary of the event, final programme, list of participants and the group photo are now available here. Chairman's Statement of the Sixth Asia-Europe Meeting The sixth Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM6) was held in Helsinki on 10- 11 September 2006. The Summit was attended by the Heads of State and Government of thirteen Asian and twenty- five European nations and the President of the European Commission. The Prime Minister of Finland, acting also as the President of the European Council, chaired this historic meeting. ASEM 6 Declaration on Climate Change This document details the declaration on Climate Change by the Heads of State and Government from thirteen Asian nations, twenty-five European nations and the President of the European Commission, gathered in Helsinki on 10 and 11 September 2006 for the 6th Asia-Europe Meeting. Helsinki Declaration on the Future of ASEM This document details the guiding principles to lead ASEM successfully into its second decade. First ASEM Labour and Employment Ministers Conference Chairman's Conclusions This is the Chairman's conclusion for the 1st ASEM Labour Ministers' Conference that was held in Berlin from 03 to 05 September 2006. 10 Years of ASEM: Global Challenges - Joint Responses This brochure is available for download at http://www.aseminfoboard.org/Summits/ASEM6 Larnaca Action Plan Available The document section of InfoBoard now has the Larnaca Action Plan on Interfaith Understanding and Cooperation for A Peaceful World. This is the awaited result of ASEM 2nd Interfaith Dialogue in July 2006. New Section: ASEM in the News A new section has been added on the InfoBoard to highlight ASEM's activities which are caught under the media's attention. "ASEM in the news" falls under a new section: "News and Media". It lists down articles from various media on ASEM. You could download the news from the documents attached to the entries. The 4th ASEM Conference on Counter-Terrorism Documents Available You could download the Chairman's Summary, several remarks and the final programme at our document section. Available: Final Report - 9th ASEM Customs Enforcement Working Group Meeting The meeting which was held in Korea on 20 and 21 April 2006 was attended by 25 ASEM member countries and other international institutions. You could download the final report containing conclusions and remarks from the meeting at our documents section. ASEM in Its Tenth Year A joint report by Japan Centre for International Exchange and University of Helsinki Network for European Studies presents an evaluation of ASEM in its first tenth year and an exploration of its future possibilities. You can obtain this report at our document section. Chairman's Statement from the 7th ASEM Financial Ministers' Meeting The seventh ASEM Finance Ministers' Meeting (ASEM FMM) was held in Vienna, Austria on 8/9 April, 2006. It was attended by the Finance Ministers from the ASEM Member Countries and the European Commission. High level officials of the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Central Bank attended as guests. You could obtain the chairman's statement on our documents section or here. Chairman's Statement Available for the 4th ASEM Meeting for Directors General on Management of Migratory Flows between Europe and Asia was held in Bali, Indonesia on 5-7 December 2005, hosted by Indonesia and with the co-sponsorship of China, Denmark, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the European Commission. Counter Terrorism Seminar The document is available on our document section. The event was held in Semarang, Indonesia on 14 and 15 Nov 2005. Culture Ministers' Meeting 2 Document for Download ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting 2 was successfully held in Paris, France on 7 & 8 June 2005. The downloadable file on our document section comprises English and French version of chairman's statement as well as speeches by French ministers and Director-General of UNESCO. ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting 7 Documents Available Held in Kyoto, Japan on 6 & 7 May 2005, the meeting is chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr. Nobutaka Machimura. New addition: Conclusion of Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP) Meeting on eCommerce Immediately following ASEM E-Commerce conference (21-22 Feb 2005), on 23 Feb 2005 in London, the Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP) Meeting for government officials took place to consider the outcomes of the conference. The conclusions of this meeting is now available in our document section. Get the Conclusions of ASEM/TFAP Meeting on Standards & Conformity Assessment Held in Japan on 2 & 3 February 2005, the meeting produces 11 conclusions which cover several areas. The meeting publishes conclusions that you can obtain from ASEM Document sections. Report on Best Regulatory Practices Seminar is up ASEM Seminar on Best Regulatory Practices this year is held in Japan on 1 February 2005. It is lead by Japan and participated by approximately 40 people from other 11 partner countries. Launch of ASEM InfoBoard ASEM InfoBoard will be officially launched at the commemorative ASEM 5 Summit in Hanoi. Date of launch is set on 6 October 2004 and will feature several VIP guests from member countries.

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