Tuesday, January 16, 2007 Asean to pursue anti-terror drive
THE 12th Association of Southeast Asian (Asean) Summit and 2nd East Asian Nation Summit formally closed Monday with the commitment of the 16 world leaders and their countries to work closely on the continued campaign against terrorism and in the harnessing of alternative energy sources to ensure ample supply in light of dwindling world oil reserves.
The Asean leaders also reaffirmed their call to North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program and return to the six-party talks.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in a press conference after the twin summits closed in Cebu, thanked the world leaders for their attendance, which bestowed honor back to the Philippines.
"We thank the leaders for the honor you have bestowed upon the Philippines and for working for a caring and sharing regional community. You have made the Filipino people proud as we have emerged triumphant with all Asians from the agreements reached and signed," she said.
Arroyo added that the people of Asia are the real victors of these summits as they would benefit from the "people agreements" that had been signed and the commitments that were made as they aim to provide a "safer world, a realm of human security and greater and deeper friendships within Asia bridging to all global capitals."
"We as a region have started to muster our vast human and material resources to broaden trade, tourism, energy security and political integration at a pace and scale never before seen - and we are out to capture the grand prize: more prosperous and safer communities, a region of peace and stability, and a world of goodwill and friendship of all creeds, colors and cultures," she said.
The leaders of the 10 member countries of the Asean - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- and its dialogue partners Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand, signed the pact at the conclusion of the East Asia Summit which stresses the need to develop alternative sources of energy is needed to sustain the momentum of the region's economic expansion.
"Reliable, adequate and affordable energy supplies are essential for strong and sustainable economic growth and competitiveness. Fossil fuels underpin our economies, and will be an enduring reality in our lifetimes," the leaders stated in the signed Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security.
The declaration also stressed the need to strengthen programs that would develop renewable energy sources like bio-fuels and hydropower sources as well as acknowledged the "the worsening problems of environment and health, and the urgent need to address global warming and climate change." The declaration also stressed the importance of open trade, facilitation and cooperation in the sector and in related industries.
The 16 leaders also agreed to work closely together to improve the efficiency and environmental performance in fossil fuel use, reduce dependence on conventional fuels through intensified energy efficiency and conservation programs, hydropower, expansion of renewable energy systems and bio-fuel production/utilization, and for interested parties, civilian nuclear power.
They also called for an open and competitive market, both regional and international markets, to provide affordable energy for all and at the same time urged private sector to invest in energy and infrastructure development. They also stressed the need for an effective policies and measures to check global climate change.
Aside from the energy pact, the Asean leaders also signed the Cebu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers and the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Nursing Services that would greatly benefit Filipino workers.
Arroyo, in her closing statement, said the agreement on migrant workers is "a commitment to promote decent, humane, productive, dignified and remunerative employment from migrant workers" from and within the region while the MRA on nursing services would give Filipino nurses the opportunity to practice their profession in other Asean countries based on their professional competencies.
Also signed during the twin summits was the Asean Convention on Counter-Terrorism, which is the product of common security concerns among the Asean members, provides a framework for regional cooperation to counter, prevent and suppress all forms of terrorism.
The President said the Philippines would benefit mostly from this Convention in terms of training, intelligence sharing and networking with Asean member-countries.
The Asean leaders likewise expressed their "grave concerns" on the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, renewing calls for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
They called on North Korea to abandon all nuclear weapons program and work towards the expeditious implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions 1695 and 1719. (JMR/Sunnex)
