SPECIAL REPORTS: WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The ASEAN: Together Towards
Sustainable Development
T
he World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) was a landmark event held in
Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 August 2002
- 4 September 2002. It brought together the global
community and world leaders to review and invigorate
commitments made 10 years ago at the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)
in Rio de Janeiro. The WSSD negotiated and adopted
two main documents: the WSSD Plan of Implementation
and the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable De-
velopment.
The Plan of Implementation is designed as a frame-
work for action to implement the commitments originally
agreed upon at UNCED. It also sets targets and time-
tables to address issues relating to poverty eradica-
tion, consumption and production, the natural
resource base, health, small island develop-
ing states, Africa, other regional initiatives,
globalisation, trade, finance, governance,
means of implementation and institutional
framework. The Johannesburg Declaration
outlines the path taken from UNCED to the
WSSD, highlights present challenges, ex-
presses a commitment to sustainable develop-
ment, underscores the importance of multilateralism
and emphasises the need for implementation.
The challenge now is for the global community that
includes the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) to
implement the WSSD Plan of Implementation. ASEAN actively
participated in the preparations for the WSSD, including
issuing an ASEAN Report to WSSD1 and a Ministerial State-
ment. This article provides a brief overview of ASEAN’s
sustainable development framework, its contributions and
recommendations to the WSSD and the initial follow-up
actions taken to implement the WSSD Plan.
ASEAN’s Sustainable Development Framework
The ASEAN was established in 1967 by Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, and
by 1999 has grown to be an association of 10 countries
with the admission of Cambodia (Brunei Darussalam
joined in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar
1
The ASEAN Report to the World Summit on Sustainable
Development, 2002 was prepared by the ASEAN Secretariat.
The full report is avalable on the website of the ASEAN
Secretariat at http://www.aseansec.org/4916.htm.
8 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2002
in 1997). The ASEAN cooperates voluntarily and on a
consensus basis for the common good, with peace and
economic, social and cultural development as its pri-
mary purposes. This is reflected in the ASEAN Decla-
ration of 8 August 1967:
“The Association of Southeast Asian Nations rep-
resents the collective will of the nations of Southeast Asia
to bind themselves together in friendship and coopera-
tion and, through joint efforts and sacrifices, secure for
their peoples and for posterity the blessings of peace,
freedom and prosperity.”
Facing the challenges of achieving sustainable de-
velopment in the context of today’s increasing globalised
world, the ASEAN has recognised the need for greater
integration and cooperation among member coun-
tries. ASEAN no longer separates financial from
commercial and investments concerns, nor the
environment and social concerns or science
and technology from the demands of eco-
nomic growth.
In 1997, the Heads of State and Gov-
ernment of ASEAN reaffirmed their commit-
ments to the aims and purposes of the As-
sociation through ASEAN Vision 2020, which
reflects the desire of ASEAN to pursue a more
sustainable path to development as:
“...a clean and green ASEAN with fully established
mechanisms for sustainable development to ensure the
protection of the region’s environment, the sustainability
of its natural resources and the high quality of life of
its people”.
This vision will be achieved through a series of action
plans, which will set strategies and specific activities with
measurable targets, outputs, means of implementation
and mid-term review mechanisms. The first of such action
plans is the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA) for 1999-2004,
adopted during the ASEAN Summit in 1998.
The Hanoi Plan of Action (1999-2004) aims to
achieve the following objectives:
1. Strengthen macroeconomic and financial co-
operation
2. Enhance greater economic and integration
3. Promote science and technology development
and develop information technology infrastruc-
ture
4. Promote social development and address the
 social impact of the financial and economic
crisis
5. Promote human resource development
6. Protect the environment and promote sustain-
able development
7. Strengthen regional peace and security
8. Enhance ASEAN’s role as an effective force for
peace, justice and moderation in Asia-Pacific
and in the World
9. Promote ASEAN awareness and its standing in
the international community
10. Improve ASEAN’s structures and mechanisms.
ASEAN Initiatives in Sustainable Development
Economic Development
Sustained economic growth is key to sustainable
development. It provides the means for nations and
people to uplift their living standards and have a decent
and healthy lifestyle, with adequate housing end edu-
cation. More importantly, it allows measures to be taken
to promote the conservation of natural resources and
protection of the environment, which in turn fuels eco-
nomic growth and sustains life.
Since Rio 1992, ASEAN experienced rapid economic
growth through industrialization and export-led growth.
This enabled ASEAN to move away from resource-based
industries to manufacturing and service industries. Since
rural communities were able to find jobs in these sectors,
this eased the pressure on natural resources and member
countries were able to devote more resources to environ-
mental protection. The financial crisis of 1997-1998 set
back all that. Poverty and social unrest increased. Mem-
ber countries inevitably increased the exploitation of their
natural resources to sustain their level of income.
Despite the setbacks and turmoil brought about by
the financial crisis, the ASEAN is committed more than
ever to pursue economic liberalization, promote trade
and investment regimes that are increasingly integrated
in ASEAN, and open to the rest of the world. Measures
undertaken by ASEAN in this direction include the ASEAN
Free Trade Area (AFTA), the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA)
and the ASEAN Industrial Cooperation (AICO) Scheme.
ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)
The 1992 AFTA agreement required the elimination
of tariff barriers among the ASEAN member countries
with a view to integrating the ASEAN economy into a
single production base and creating a regional market
of 500 million people. By lowering tariff rates, ASEAN
hopes to enhance economic competitiveness and pro-
mote cross-border trade and investment in the region.
Partly as a result of the implementation of the Agree-
ment on the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT)
Scheme for the AFTA, trade among ASEAN countries
has grown from $44.2 billion in 1993 to $95.2 billion
in 2000, representing an average annual increase of
11.6%.
One of the desired outcomes of AFTA is the ratio-
nalization of industrial production in the region, which
is expected to allow for product specialization and thus
avoid duplication of expensive production facilities. AFTA
was substantially realised in January 2002 with six original
member countries cutting their tariff barrier on almost all
manufactured and agricultural products between zero
and five per cent.
ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS)
This agreement, which was signed on 15 December
1995, provides the framework to liberalize trade in ser-
vices and aims to:
• enhance cooperation in services among member
countries in order to improve efficiency and com-
petitiveness, diversify production capacity and sup-
ply, and distribution of services of their service
suppliers within and outside ASEAN;
• eliminate substantially restrictions to trade in ser-
vices among member countries; and
• liberalize trade in services by expanding the depth
and scope of liberalization beyond those under-
taken by member countries under the General
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) with the
aim of realising a free trade area in services.
The benefits of liberalization of trade in services in-
clude the following: enhanced competitiveness of pro-
viders of services in the region supports freer flow of
goods; increased foreign direct investment in the service
sectors; improved transfer of technology; freer flow of
services of professionals that would eventually catalyse
economic development and the integration process
throughout the ASEAN region.
ASEAN Investment Area (AIA)
Under this agreement, ASEAN countries are to open
their industrial sectors to ASEAN investors to the extent
of giving national treatment to such investments.
ASEAN Industrial Cooperation (AICO)
This scheme provides for companies operating in
two or more ASEAN countries to receive full AFTA treat-
ment immediately. Since the AICO scheme was intro-
duced in 1996, a total of 146 applications have been
received, of which 90 were approved. More than 90%
of the participating companies are from the automotive
related sector, with a handful from the electronics sector.
The AICO scheme has been well received by the private
sector and in response to their request, ASEAN has agreed
to extend the automatic waiver on the 30% national
equity requirement until 31 December 2002.
ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 9
Tourism
ASEAN recognises the strategic role of tourism and
economic growth in sustaining the rich and diverse social,
cultural and historical heritage of ASEAN. The ASEAN
Tourism Agreement that was adopted at the ASEAN
Summit last year would facilitate quality tourism and
strengthen the capacity of ASEAN to attract tourists within
and from outside the region.
ASEAN’s Integrated Infrastructure Network
Economic integration requires good infrastructure
facilities in the region such as regional networks of
highways, railways, telecommunications, power grids and
water and gas pipelines. ASEAN Vision 2020 calls for
the establishment of interconnecting arrangements in the
field of energy and utilities for electricity, natural gas and
water within ASEAN through the ASEAN Power Grid and
a Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline and Water Pipeline and
the promotion of cooperation in energy efficiency and
conservation, as well as the development of new and
renewable energy resources.
e-ASEAN
Today, regionalism takes on a larger meaning and
scope than market integration alone. The ASEAN mem-
ber countries are working closely in other emerging areas
to strengthen their national and regional competitive-
ness. In no other area is this more vital than in acquiring
technological prowess, thus the endorsement in 1999 of
the e-ASEAN initiative. This aims to develop a broad-
based and comprehensive framework, including physi-
cal, legal, logistical, social and economic infrastructure,
to promote an ASEAN e-space, as part of the ASEAN
positioning and branding strategy.
ASEAN leaders at the 2000 ASEAN Summit signed
the e-ASEAN Framework Agreement, which provides the
mechanism for operation in six main areas: connectivity
and inter-operability, local content, a seamless environ-
ment for electronic commerce, a common marketplace
for goods and services relating to information and
communications technology, development of human
resources, and e-governance..
One of the projects being implemented is the e-
Farmers project, which seeks to address the challenges
of improving the economic welfare of ASEAN’s farming
community. This project aims to allow farmers and
producers direct access to critical market information
and the market itself through the internet or electronic
marketplace.
Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI)
The IAI, which was launched at the 2000 ASEAN Sum-
mit, aimed at narrowing the development gap within ASEAN
member countries by assisting the newer members namely,
10 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2002
Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (the CLMV
countries). A six-year IAI Work Plan (2002-2007) has been
developed to expedite greater regional integration, pro-
mote equitable economic development and help alleviate
poverty in CLMV. The IAI Work Plan focuses on four priority
areas, namely:
• infrastructure development, covering transport and
energy;
• human resource development;
• information and communication technology (ICT);
and
• promoting regional economic integration in CLMV
countries, covering trade and services, investment
promotion, customs and standards.
Social Development
ASEAN recognises that sustainable development is
not only about generating wealth but also ensuring its
equitable distribution. A decent quality of life for its people
requires a high quality environment. The activities of the
poor are not the main causes of environmental degra-
dation and yet they are the most affected by it in terms
of quality of life and health. A number of factors, in-
cluding declining productivity, pollution, erosion, natural
calamities (such as floods and droughts), depressed
commodity prices and the influx of cheap imports, impose
formidable challenges to their livelihood. These chal-
lenges lead them to exploit natural resources
unsustainably. As a result, it has been necessary for the
ASEAN to address two key social development issues,
poverty and health and their interrelationships with the
environment.
Poverty
Although poverty levels in the ASEAN have been
declining, poverty levels in some of the newer member
countries are still considerably high. To address poverty
issues, ASEAN Vision 2020 hopes for an ASEAN where
hunger, malnutrition, deprivation and poverty are no
longer basic problems. A number of measures under the
Hanoi Plan of Action are meant to see this vision through,
including the Plan of Action on ASEAN Rural Develop-
ment and Poverty and the ASEAN Plan of Action on
Social Safety Nets.
The Framework Plan of Action on Rural Development
and Poverty Eradication was adopted in 1997 and
defined the following key actions:
• building and/or enhancing capacities for research,
assessment and monitoring of poverty in ASEAN
countries;
• training of facilitators on rural development and
poverty eradication; and
• developing a campaign for enhancing national
and regional public awareness on rural develop-
 ment and poverty eradication.
The social impacts of the financial crisis were then
addressed by the 1998 ASEAN Action Plan on Social
Safety Nets. Priorities in the action plan include:
• targeting and rapid impact assessment method-
ologies for social programs;
• service delivery and related operational issues;
• role of central and local governments in social
safety nets; and
• partnerships in social policy.
Health
In April 2000, the ASEAN Health Ministers adopted
the Healthy ASEAN 2020 Declaration, which envisioned
that by 2020 “health shall be at the centre of devel-
opment and ASEAN cooperation on health shall be
strengthened to ensure that our peoples are healthy in
mind and body and living in harmony in environments.”
The declaration seeks to:
• strengthen and further intensify ASEAN coopera-
tion in health to ensure that health concerns are
mainstreamed in government efforts;
• ensure that health development concerns are ef-
fectively integrated into the larger scheme of
regional cooperation;
• promote advocacy and enhance the state of public
awareness of health-related issues;
• ensure availability and accessibility of safe, af-
fordable, efficacious and quality health-related
products and services to meet the needs of the
ASEAN;
• strengthen the national and collective ASEAN ca-
pacity on the issues of health implications from
globalization and trade liberalization; and
• enhance the competitiveness of ASEAN and health-
related industries taking into account the strengths
and diversity of ASEAN member countries.
In March 2002, the ASEAN Ministers also adopted
a declaration to improve the lifestyles of ASEAN peoples
so by 2020 all ASEAN citizens will lead healthy lifestyles
consistent with the values, beliefs and culture in support-
ive environments.
One of the major issues in health is the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or the acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic. The ASEAN Heads
of State and Government recognises that at least 1.6
million people in the region are living with HIV/AIDS,
and if left unchecked will undermine social and eco-
nomic development of ASEAN. As such, at the 2001
ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders adopted the ASEAN
Summit Declaration on HIV/AIDS, acknowledging that
prevention is the only effective way to combat the spread
of HIV/AIDS.
Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection
ASEAN’s environment and natural resource endow-
ments are unique and diverse. Forest cover in ASEAN
is over 48%, compared to the world average of below
30%. Three of the 17 mega biodiversity countries are
in ASEAN. Terrestrial protected areas in the region num-
2
ber 1, 014 sites, protecting 418, 000 km . The region’s
aquatic and marine ecosystems are highly productive
and species rich. Half a billion people in ASEAN de-
pend on these resources for their livelihood, causing
increasing stress on the natural environment. A number
of factors have led to natural resource degradation,
such as rapid population rise, conversion of forested
and ecologically-sensitive areas for agricultural purposes,
poverty and damage caused by forest fires and natural
disasters.
ASEAN member countries are actively engaged in
addressing global environmental issues. Almost all
member countries are parties to the relevant major
multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Burdened
with the onerous obligations of these MEAs without the
promised substantial financial and technical support to
implement them, ASEAN is taking a lead in promoting
synergy and coordination among these MEAs to over-
come institutional and human resources constraints, and
at the same time to ensure a holistic and synergistic
approach to the issues.
Forest Ecosystems and Biological Diversity
The ASEAN region has a total land area of 4.4 million
sq km, most of which were once covered with forests.
In the mid-1990s, regional land use patterns were
detailed as:
Land Use % of Total Land Area
Forest and Woodland 53%
Agriculture 21%
Pasture 4%
Other uses, including urban areas 22%
Forest cover and deforestation vary widely across the
region. From 1970 to 1990, ASEAN lost 31.4 million
2
hectares of forest, a rate of about 15,700 km per year.
Deforestation increased by 1990 to 2000, with annual
2
loss estimated at 23,260 km a year.
Forest certification has been employed to encourage
sustainable forest management by promoting trade in
forest products from sustainably managed forests. The
ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF)
endorsed the Framework for ASEAN Regional Criteria
and Indicators (C&I) for Sustainable Management of
Natural Tropical Forests in October 2000. The regional
C&I is a guide to developing nation-specific criteria,
ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 11
indicators and standards, which could be used to assess
sustainable forest management practices or for timber
certification.
Regional efforts to address deforestation are also
underway, specifically with the US$2.5 million five-year
ASEAN-Korea Environmental Cooperation Project on the
Restoration of Degraded Forest Ecosystems in the South-
east Asian Tropical Regions (2000-2005). The project
aims to contribute to sustainable and equitable forest
management and rehabilitation of deforested areas in
the tropical forest ecosystems of ASEAN member coun-
tries through partnership in research, capacity-building
and sharing of scientific and technical information.
In recognition of the region’s tremendous biodiversity
values, the three key strategies outlined in the HPA are to:
• strengthen the ASEAN Regional Centre for
Biodiversity Conservation (ARCBC) by establish-
ing networks of relevant institutions and implement
collaborative training and research activities;
• promote regional coordination for the protection
of the ASEAN Heritage Parks and Reserves; and
• formulate and adopt an ASEAN Protocol on ac-
cess to genetic resources.
ASEAN Heritage Parks and Reserves
Country Heritage Park and Reserve
Brunei Darussalam Tasek Merimbun
Indonesia Leuser National Park
Kerinci Seblat National Park
Lorentz Nature Reserve
Malaysia Kinabalu National Park
Mulu National Park
Taman Negara National Park
Philippines Mount Apo National Park
Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park
Thailand Khao Yai National Park
Koh Tarutao National Park
Initiatives are currently being undertaken to recognize
other unique ecosystems in the region, particularly in
newer member countries. The guidelines and criteria for
selecting ASEAN Parks and Reserves are currently under
review.
Freshwater Ecosystems
Population and economic growth in the ASEAN re-
gion have exerted pressure on water resources both in
terms of the quantity used and quality, often with adverse
impacts on freshwater ecosystems. In 2000, ASEAN
renewable water resources were estimated at 15% of the
world total. ASEAN wetlands of global importance
number 19 sites covering over 620,000 hectares.
Issues that most concern the ASEAN in terms of water
resources management include:
• capacity-building
• development of national water policy, legal tools
12 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2002
and institutional frameworks for water sector
management;
• identification and study of key transboundary is-
sues;
• identification and study of resource management
issues;
• catchment management and flood control;
• improved water quality and environmental pro-
tection;
• clear policies on private sector participation;
• autonomous and accountable water service pro-
viders;
• information for better resource management of
shared resources;
• increased effective stakeholder consultation and
participation; and
• water sector financing, water pricing, cost recov-
ery and incentive issues
The Hanoi Plan of Action calls for the implementa-
tion of an ASEAN regional water conservation
programme and the establishment of a framework to
achieve long-term environmental goals for ambient air
and river qualities for ASEAN countries.
Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
ASEAN coastal and marine ecosystems perform a
number of ecological, economic and social functions
in the region. They serve as sinks for wastes from land-
based resources, provide livelihood directly and directly
to millions in the region, provide food, maintain water
cycles, regulate climatic conditions, and maintain the
complex ecological balance of coastal and marine
ecosystems.
The Hanoi Plan of Action calls for the development
of a framework and the improvement of regional co-
ordination for the integrated protection and manage-
ment of coastal zones.
ASEAN Coastal Facts and Figures
ASEAN Coastline 173,000 km2
ASEAN Mangrove Forests 35% of the world total (1998)
ASEAN Coral Reefs 25-30% of world total (1998)
(most diverse in the world)
Global Coral Reefs at Risk 58% (27% at high/very high risk)
ASEAN Coral Reefs at Risk 80% (55% at high/very high risk)
ASEAN Marine Fish Production 14% of the world total (1998)
ASEAN Overall Fish Exports 15% of the world total (1998)
Fisheries
The ASEAN seas are rich in marine life and accounts
for around 2,500 species of fish and as many types of
invertebrates. It is also a significant producer of fish,
accounting in 1998 for over 7% of the world’s inland
aquaculture production, nearly 7% of marine aquacul-
ture production, nearly 14% of fisheries production, 12%
of combined fisheries and aquaculture production, and
15% of global fisheries trade. People in ASEAN con-
sume about 20 kg of fish per capita per year, which
provides nearly half of their animal protein. Pressures
on fishery resources are caused by increasing demand,
deteriorating marine water quality and degradation of
coastal zones.
A Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security
in the ASEAN Region has been adopted and focuses on
regional guidelines on a code of conduct for fisheries,
collaboration among countries, capacity building, effec-
tive management and access to fishery resources, post
harvest technologies and joint ASEAN positions on inter-
national trade in fish and fishery resources.
The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
(SEAFDEC) has also undertaken a number of measures
to protect fishery resources, including the upgrading of
the traditional fish processing industry; promotion of
mangrove-friendly aquaculture; conservation and man-
agement of sea turtles; improvement of fishery statistics;
and development of common guidelines for the rational-
ization of the code of conduct for responsible fisheries.
Atmosphere and Climate
Although fossil fuel combustion remains a major source
of pollution in ASEAN, transboundary haze pollution from
land and forest fires has become more serious in recent
years. As a result, the Hanoi Plan of Action calls for the:
• full implementation of the Regional Haze Action
Plan;
• strengthening of the ASEAN Specialized Meteoro-
logical Center to monitor forest and land fires;
and
• establishment of the ASEAN Regional Research
and Training Center for Land and Forest Fire Man-
agement.
Transboundary Haze Pollution
The land and forest fires that hit the ASEAN region
in 1997-1998 have been considered among the most
damaging in history, causing massive environmental,
economic and social impacts. As a result, the Regional
Haze Action Plan (RHAP) was adopted in 1997 and
outlines the overall framework for strengthening the
region’s capacity to address transboundary haze pol-
lution through three major components: prevention,
mitigation and monitoring. The ASEAN member coun-
tries have shown their commitments to address this
problem with the signing of the ASEAN Agreement on
Transboundary Haze Pollution in June 2001.
Public Awareness and Environmental Education
ASEAN promotes public awareness of environmental
issues through annual national environmental campaigns
and the ASEAN Environment Year, which is observed
once every three years. The ASEAN Environmental
Education Action Plan (2000-2005) is currently being
implemented.
Promotion of Environmentally
Sound Technologies
The ASEAN is currently exploring the establishment
of a centre for the promotion of environmentally sound
technologies. This center/network is expected to enhance
national efforts in the development and use of environ-
mentally sound technologies, while making possible the
sharing of expertise, resources and promotion of har-
monization and certification at the regional level.
Environmental Reporting
and Data Harmonization
Two State of the Environment Reports (1997 and 2001)
have been produced, which provide the status of envi-
ronmental conditions, their impact and interrelationships
with various sectors in the ASEAN. The ASEAN also hopes
to harmonise national and regional databases to support
environmental analysis, modelling, and forecasting for
environmental assessment and monitoring.
ASEAN’s Governance and Cooperative Mechanism
ASEAN’s governance mechanism, which has evolved
gradually over the years, is now very much institutionalised
and cover major sectors such as political, security, eco-
nomic, social, environment and other functional areas.
The highest decision-making body of ASEAN is the
Meeting of the Heads of State and Government or ASEAN
Summit held every year.
The Annual Meeting of Foreign Ministers, better known
as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) is responsible
for the formulation of policy guidelines. The AMM is
supported by the ASEAN Standing Committee (ASC) and
the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), while the ASEAN
Economic Ministers (AEM) is supported by the Senior
Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) and several work-
ing groups. Overall coordination at the national level
in each of the ASEAN member countries is undertaken
by a dedicated ASEAN department in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
ASEAN Environmental Management Framework
ASEAN cooperation on the environment started in
1978 with the establishment of an ASEAN Experts Group
on the Environment (AEGE), which has since been el-
evated as the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environ-
ment (ASOEN). The ASOEN is composed of the heads
of environmental ministries/departments/agencies that
are responsible for environmental matters in their re-
ASEAN BIODIVERSITY 13

Figure 1. ASEAN Institutional Framework for Environmental Cooperation
ASEAN Summit
(ASEAN Heads of
State/Government)
ASEAN Ministerial ASEAN Ministerial
Meeting (AMM) Meeting on the
(ASEAN Foreign Environment
Ministers) (AMME)
ASEAN Standing
ASEAN Senior
Officials on the
Committee
(ASC)
Environment
(ASOEN)
Working Group on Working Group on
Nature Conservation Coastal and Marine
and Biodiversity Environment
(AWGNCB) (AWGCME)
Other Environmental
Activities
(ASEAN Secretariat)
spective countries (Figure 1).
The cooperative programmes and projects of
ASOEN are guided by the ASEAN Strategic Plan of Ac-
tion on the Environment (SPAE)1999-2004. The ASOEN
reports to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Envi-
ronment (AMME), which is primarily responsible for policy
matters related to the environment. At the national level
on the other hand, ASEAN member countries have
designated specific institutions to implement Agenda 21.
Recommendations to the World Summit
on Sustainable Development
The ASEAN ministers responsible for the environment
met at a Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the
Environment for the WSSD in June 2002 to review the
progress, constraints and challenges on the implemen-
tation of Agenda 21 in the region and to consider key
issues to be discussed at the WSSD. The outcome of the
Meeting was a Joint Statement of the Ministers Respon-
sible for Environment of the Member States of ASEAN
to the World Summit on Sustainable Development is-
sued on 4 June 2002, which encapsulated the main
recommendations of ASEAN to the WSSD. The key rec-
ommendations are summarised as follows:
• ASEAN has a well-established governance struc-
ture for the Southeast Asian region to effectively
develop, coordinate and implement regional
programmes. ASEAN also provides the forum to
facilitate the development and implementation of
integrated regional sustainable development
policies, strategies and action plans consistent with
the global framework and the needs of member
countries. Therefore, in calling for the strengthen-
ing of the sustainable development governance
and institutional frameworks,
ASEAN emphasised that exist-
ing frameworks for regional
inter-governmental gover-
nance such as ASEAN should
be fully utilised as part of the
Secretary General
of ASEAN international governance struc-
ture to promote coordinated
sustainable development ini-
tiatives for that region. ASEAN
ASEAN Secretariat
also called upon the Global
(Bureau of Functional
Cooperation) Environment Facility to en-
hance its effectiveness by im-
proving its operational proce-
Working Group on Working Group on
Multilateral Environmental Water Resources dures and be more respon-
Agreements Management
(AWGMEA) (AWGWRM) sive to the identified needs of
developing countries; and ac-
Haze Technical
Task Force cord priority to regional poli-
(HTTF)
cies developed within the
ASEAN institutional framework.
• ASEAN called for declarations and commitments
such as those contained in the Rio Declaration,
Agenda 21, Millenium Declaration and the
Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Develop-
ment to be implemented expeditiously. Addition-
ally, ASEAN called for developed countries to fulfill
their commitments in financial assistance, technol-
ogy transfer and capacity building in line with the
principle of common but differentiated responsi-
bilities.
• ASEAN called for the further enhancement of the
international economic and trading systems to
complement the ASEAN’s efforts to open trade
and investment in the region, in particular, to
improve market access for developing countries’
exports, eliminate trade-distorting subsidies and
barriers to trade for agricultural products, and
provides special and differential treatment to de-
veloping countries. ASEAN expressed its opposi-
tion to the use of environmental measures for
protectionist purposes.
• ASEAN also called for the strengthening of the
international financial architecture, which includes
a review of the roles of the international financial
institutions as well as international regulatory bodies
in order to enhance their capacity to contain and
resolve financial crises. Priority should be accorded
to measures to protect the poor and most vulner-
able segments of society. ASEAN also welcomed
efforts to deal comprehensively and effectively with
the debt problems of developing countries and
to make the management of debt sustainable in
the long term.
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14 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2002