Background brief: 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, 15-16 July 2016, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
BACKGROUND
11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit
Friday 15 and Saturday 16 July in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 July, 2016, under the theme "20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity".
The meeting in Ulaanbaatar will be hosted and chaired by the Mongolian President, H.E. Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, will represent the EU, accompanied by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. Additionally, Heads of State and Governments of 30 European States and 20 Asian partners, as well as the ASEAN Secretary-General, have been invited to attend.
The meeting will start at 09.00 on Friday 15 July with a short opening ceremony, immediately followed by a session with the four ASEM forums: the representatives of the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), the Asia-Europe People’s Forum (AEPF), the Asia-Europe Business Forum (AEBF) and the Model ASEM.
At the first plenary session 'Two decades of partnership: taking stock and looking forward',starting at 09.30, leaders will assess the 20 years' experience of political dialogue, economic cooperation and socio-cultural exchange. Partners will look forward to the third decade of ASEM cooperation.
The second plenary will start at 11.30. This session is devoted to 'Promoting ASEM partnership for greater connectivity', with an emphasis on developing both 'hard' and 'soft' connectivity between Europe and Asia.
After a social lunch Friday afternoon will be devoted to the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of ASEM. Leaders will also have the opportunity to participate in a traditional Mongolian 'naadam' festival, which will give them an opportunity to interact informally, in true ASEM spirit. On Friday evening, starting at 18.30, a dinner for the ASEM leaders will be hosted by the President of Mongolia, H.E. Mr. Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.
In the retreat session, starting at 08.40 on Saturday morning, leaders will discuss in a more informal manner under the heading 'Enhancing the three pillars of ASEM'. This session will include regional and international issues, including counter-terrorism and migration.
Following a closing ceremony starting at 11.50, a final press conference will be held at the end of the meeting (+/- 12.40).
At the end of the summit a Chair's Statement will be issued. There will also be a separate Ulaanbaatar Declaration on the Future of ASEM, marking ASEM's 20th anniversary.
The Summit will also provide an opportunity for many bilateral meetings in its margins.
Public events and press conferences by video streaming: http://video.consilium.europa.eu
Video coverage in broadcast quality (MPEG4): www.eucouncil.tv
Photos of the event: www.consilium.europa.eu/photo
Future direction of ASEM
Marking the 20th anniversary of the Asia-Europe Meeting, the summit in Ulaanbaatar will be an opportunity for the heads of state or government to review the progress made and achievements gained since the start of ASEM in 1996. Having grown from 26 partners in 1996 to 53 twenty years later, ASEM has proved its value as a unique platform for dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe.
It will be an occasion for partners to set the course for inter-regional dialogue and cooperation in the next decade. Leaders are expected to call for future work to focus on areas which will benefit the peoples of Europe and Asia, including growth and employment, climate change, energy security, rule of law and non-traditional security challenges.
In particular, leaders are to highlight connectivity in all its aspects - from physical connectivity through infrastructural developments across Asia and Europe and digital connectivity to institutional linkages, political security-related dialogue and people-to-people ties. The Summit is also expected to reinforce the role of ASEM as a catalyst for effective multilateralism and to underscore the three pillars of the partnership: peace and stability, economic prosperity, sustainable development and a better quality of life.
Economic Cooperation and Connectivity
The summit will provide an opportunity for the partners to discuss the state of play in the world economy. Leaders should call for strengthened policies to achieve inclusive economic growth and reaffirm their commitment to enhance labour market outcomes for young people. Focus is also expected to be on the inter-regional trade and investment flows. Leaders should underline their commitment to resist protectionism and to address restrictions, including non-tariff barriers. In this context, the parties will stress the important role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in administering the global trading system, enhancing the rule of law, monitoring trade policies and settling disputes.
Leaders will also discuss digital and transport connectivity. The 11th ASEM is expected to call for stronger trans-boundary cooperation in terms of transportation and to enhance people-to-people links, along with cultural, educational, academic and youth exchanges between the two continents. A working group on ASEM connectivity should be established for a term of two years.
Global and regional challenges
Leaders are expected to exchange views on the ways and means to address current and future challenges to international stability and sustainable development, terrorism, climate change and migration.
In this framework, ASEM partners should discuss the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development goals. Leaders are expected to underline the need for urgent and decisive action to implement commitments and turn pledges into practice.
Partners are expected to strongly condemn recent terrorist attacks around the world and express their determination to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They should also stress the need to address root causes of extremism and radicalisation, emphasising the importance of preventive measures.
The 11tth ASEM Summit is expected to pay particular attention to the unprecedented global challenge of irregular migration, including human smuggling. Partners will discuss the need for comprehensive regional and international responses, including tackling the root causes and providing protection and support to those in need.
The Summit will also seek for more cooperation on international and regional issues of common interest and concern. This includes the situations in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Ukraine, the Korean peninsula and maritime security in Asia.
Other key issues to be addressed are human rights, disaster response and nuclear safety.