PHNOM PENH: The leaders and partners of the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting have expressed gratitude to Cambodia’s chairmanship of the summit. They appreciated the fruitful outcome of the two-day virtual convention along with its side events. The ASEM13 that was held from 25-26 November was attended by over 50 heads of state, high-level representatives, and participants of ASEM countries from Asia and Europe, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. It was chaired by Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Leaders have reaffirmed the importance of this partnership between Asia and Europe under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth”. The theme is based on consensus, equal partnership, mutual respect, and mutual benefit to further advance a robust, inclusive, and open multilateralism capable of addressing global and regional issues, particularly the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to the opening of ASEM13, several side events were held hosted by the Kingdom of Cambodia as the chair for this year’s convention. It started with an Asia-Europe Cultural Festival on Monday. The cultural festival was aimed to celebrate the cultural diversity and artistic exchange between Asia and Europe. With the theme “Enhancing ASEM Partnerships through Arts and Culture”, the festival was also aimed to promote people-to-people connectivity between Asia and Europe in the field of arts and culture.
A total of 37 artists showcase their work at the ASEM Cultural Festival 2021. Their works of arts displayed are under six main topics such as: Happy Heads, Sahaka Playground, Encountering Culture, The Longes Voyage, Things that Count, and Il Nodo: A Sketch of Hope.
At the same day – on Monday, Cambodia has launched the 4th Asia-Europe Foundation Young Leaders Summit. It was held under the theme “Sustainable Development in a Post-Covid-19 World.” President of the Asian Youth Council and Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, Hun Many, the main theme of ASEFYLS4 represents the true situation of the global challenges amid Covid-19.
Meanwhile, journalists and editors across the two regions have gathered for the 10th Asia-Europe Foundation Editor’s Roundtable on Tuesday and Wednesday. Just like with the other events, it was also held virtually due to Covid-19 pandemic. It was held under the theme of “Strengthening the cooperation between journalists in combating fake news”. The discussion was to exchange perspectives on current affairs pertaining to fake news and misinformation between journalists in both regions.
Another side event of the ASEM13 was the 1st Asia-Europe Economic and Business Forum on Wednesday. Prime Minister Hun Sen has acknowledged the cooperation between Asian and European regions contribution of people-to-people relationship and economic ties development. The Prime Minister has encouraged the leaders to restore social-economic development. He also says that promoting green development is a foundation to support the long-term social-economic development which will enhance economic efficiencies and strengthen climate resiliency in the new normal. He has also promoted the green technologies adoption with the advancement of digitalization.
Then on Thursday, the long-awaited ASEM13 was finally opened. It was opened by Prime Minister Hun Sen as Cambodia chairs the summit. The Prime Minister has said that the chosen theme of “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth” is more relevant than ever in the context of striving socio-economic recovery while living with Covid-19. He has emphasized the need to further reinforce the partnership between Asia and Europe to maintain a strong multilateralism that will bring about a global growth that is not only sustainable but can also be shared.
During the opening, European Council President Charles Michel has said that Europe and Asia’s multilateral cooperation is very important for global recovery. He has added that Europe’s commitment to universal and democratic rights and fundamental freedoms would remain. For the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he has stressed that he is confident that the Asia-Europe meeting will give further impetus for the continent’s integration processes.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has praised the active participation of the European leaders as well as their contribution in boosting the EU-Asia ties. One of them is the German Chancellor Angel Merkel. The Cambodian Prime Minister says that Merkel has been a key figure in strengthening the two regions’ relations from the beginning.
During the First Plenary Session on Thursday, Prime Minister Hun Sen has said that he is optimistic about the outcomes of the summit. He has believed that the session’s outcomes will act as a valuable contribution to the promotion of multilateralism, which is the foundation of global peace, stability, and prosperity. He has also called the ASEM leaders and partners for greater multilateral actions and international cooperation to respond to the effects of climate change during the Internal and Regional Issues of the ASEM13. He has said that the effects of climate change are increasingly visible and pervasive.
At the Second Plenary Session, the Cambodian Prime Minister has highlighted three priorities for the ASEM13. He has said that these points need to be prioritised, especially in the middle of Covid-19 pandemic that badly affects everyone’s lives. The three key points that Prime Minister Hun Sen has mentioned are solving the problem caused by Covid-19 pandemic, pushing the social-economic back amid Covid-19, and rebuilding the future with durability. He has also focused on the accessibility of Covid-19 vaccine with good price and no source discrimination as authorised by the World Health Organization.
The 13th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit has ended successfully on Friday with Cambodia getting praises from the leaders across Asia and Europe. In his closing ceremony speech, Prime Minister Hun Sen says that there are three main documents adopted. The three important documents include the Phnom Penh Statement on the Post-COVID-19 Socio-Economic Recovery, the ASEM13 Chair’s Statement, and the Way Forward on ASEM connectivity. The Prime Minister has expressed his pride as Cambodia has successfully hosted the ASEM13.
While celebrating the 25th Anniversary of ASEM, leaders took stock with satisfaction of the progress made and achievement gained since its inception in 1996, and were committed to further enhancing the cooperation, partnership and connectivity between Asia and Europe. They welcomed the fruitful outcome of the High-level Policy Dialogue “ASEM at 25: Strengthening Asia-Europe Partnership in a Transforming World” held on 22 June 2021 in Hanoi, Vietnam emphasizing the need for a bold vision of a stronger Asia-Europe Partnership.
Leaders also stressed the urgent need to uphold the international order based on rules and principles of international law with the United Nations at its core to address global and regional challenges. One of the issues discussed by the leaders with deep concerns is the situation in Myanmar. They affirmed their strong support for ASEAN’s effort to de-escalate the crisis. They have also discussed about the crisis in Afghanistan. They noted the critical role of the international community in supporting regional stability and crucially, in addressing the severe humanitarian crisis, calling for unhindered access of humanitarian operators to all regions in the country.
Leaders encouraged all ASEM Partners to place sustainable and resilient measures at the centre of their recovery plans, including but not limited to, accelerating the transition towards affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy and ecosystem protection and restoration.
These are just some of the 52 Chair’s Statement formulated from the successful 13th ASEM Summit hosted by Cambodia on 25-26 November and with its side event.
