Ministers conducted an in-depth and constructive exchange on issues ranging from the promotion of environmental partnership among ASEM, international environmental issues, preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), to options for future dialogue on environmental matters within ASEM.

Singapore

The third ASEM Economic Ministers’ Meeting (EMM 3) was held in Hanoi on 10th and 11th September 2001. It was attended by Ministers for economics, trade and industry from ten Asian countries, with Viet Nam and China as Asian Coordinators, and fifteen European nations, with Belgium acting as President of the Council of the European Union, and by the European Commissioner responsible for trade.

Bali, Indonesia:  The 4th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights in Bali, Indonesia from 12-13 July 2001 was sponsored by France, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (Sweden) and the Asia-Europe Foundation with the support of the European Commission Trust Fund.   This series of four seminars was aimed at bringing together researchers, non-governmental activists and practitioners as well as officials together to dialogue in an informal setting, critical human rights issues affecting both Asia and Europe. The first seminar was held in Lund (1997), the second in Beijing (1999) and the third in Paris (2000). Each of these seminars addressed a variety of different topics.   Following the format of the previous seminars, this 4th seminar dealt with the following three issues:   Freedom of Conscience and Religion Democratisation, Conflict Resolution and Human Rights Rights and Obligations in the Promotion of Social Welfare Approximately seventy people participated in this meeting. Of special mention was the participation of Mr Gilbert Guillaume, President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague. He gave a presentation on The International Court of Justice and Human Rights on the first day and also made a few closing remarks at the end of the meeting.   Also…