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Introduction
a. What is ASEAN
Association of South East Asian Nations
Current member-states: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines,
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos
Headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia
b. Historical background
Created in August 8, 1967
Bangkok Declaration 5 founding countries
Aims and purposes were about cooperation in the economic, social,
cultural, technical, educational and other fields, and in the promotion
of regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and
the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations
Charter.
Principle of non-interference
Principle of consensus
The ASEAN manner of making decisions shall be by consensus, which means any
country can veto a proposal.
Disputes on South China Sea no consensus amongst the member-states because
of Cambodia
III. ASEAN Initiatives in the Field of Environment
ASEAN Environmental Program I (1977) and II (1982)
Strategic Action Plan on Environment (1999-2004)
Establishment of the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity Conservation (1999)
Regional Action Plan for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development
(20012005)
Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (2002-2003)
ASEAN Plus Three (since 2002)
East Asia Summit Environment Ministers Meeting (since 2008)
China-ASEAN Strategy on Environmental Protection Cooperation (2009)
SUSTAIN EU-ASEAN project
ASEAN Socio Cultural Community Blueprint (2009 2015)
In November 2015, the ASEAN Socio Cultural Community Blueprint 2025 was
introduced
ASCC 2025 document highlights four broad measures, including:
o (1) conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems
biodiversity and natural resources;
o (2) environmentally sustainably cities;
o (3) sustainable climate; and
o (4) sustainable consumption and production.
Working Groups
The main responsibility of the working groups is to promote and enhance
cooperation among ASEAN member states in implementing the ASEAN SCC
Blueprint, according to their terms of reference. This includes capacity building,
sharing information, and reviewing regional activities etc.
There are seven Working Groups, namely:
(1) ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME)
(2) ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Education (AWGEE)
(3) ASEAN Working Group on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (AWGESC)
(4) ASEAN Working Group on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (AWGMEA)
(5) ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (AWGNCB)
(6) ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management (AWGWRM)
(7) ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC)
Lead Countries are chosen based on their interests in the particular problem area
and the availability of their funds for the particular area.
Policies and proposals of WGs ASOEN Delegates of ASEAN Member-States for
final endorsement
ASEAN Secretariat
o Headed by the Secretary-General
o Currently H.E. Le Luong Minh, Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam
o Acts as a resource base, provides advice and information, coordinates
the implementation of regional activities and programs
o Handles issues not falling within any of the issue-areas of the WGs
ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives
o Established by the ASEAN Charter
o Coordinates with the core business of ASEAN, including implementation
of the Charter and the Blueprints
o Ensures that ASEC has adequate financial and human resources
o Has regular meetings with ASEC although not only with the
Environment Division