ASEAN
Press Releases : Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in New York
On 27 September 2012, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM) in New York City on the sidelines of 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to prepare, follow-up and forge consensus on the direction of the ASEAN-UN relations. Gist of the meeting, as follows:
1. The meeting called for the promotion of close and cordial relations between ASEAN and the UN, as well as supported the submission of the Resolution on Cooperation between ASEAN and the UN during the UNGA, which was adopted since 2002. In addition, ASEAN member countries informed and sought each other’s support on their candidature at the various UN committee elections. In this regard, Thailand suggested that ASEAN member countries forward the said matter to the ASEAN Committees in New York and Geneva to seek support for the votes in an effective manner.
2. The meeting adopted the List of Action Oriented Outcomes and Follow-up Actions after the 45th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, which included a total of 33 measures. Indeed, the list provided a guideline for cooperation in various sectors that would eventually lead to the preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Summit in November 2012. In this connection, two issues which Thailand had raised include connectivity within the ASEAN + 3 framework and cooperation in water management.
3. The meeting also agreed to conduct discussions with nuclear weapons states regarding the Statement and Reservation on the Protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty in order to adopt the said Statement and enable it to come into force. In this connection, Thailand underscored the importance of acceptance of the said Statement by the nuclear weapons states, which would assist in promoting regional security and stability.
4. The meeting considered the Draft Declaration on Human Rights submitted by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and directed the senior officials to consider the said draft before being adopted by the ASEAN leaders at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in November 2012. To note, the consideration by the senior officials would not change the content of the said draft, but would follow the normal procedure of consideration of the outcome document before submitting it to the leaders for their approval.
5. The meeting agreed to request Thailand to coordinate with China in convening the Informal ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting to consider the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in order to maintain the momentum of discussion between ASEAN and China on the said issue. In this regard, Thailand is currently coordinating and finalizing with China on the date of the meeting.
6. The meeting agreed with the ASEAN Chairman issuing a Press Statement on the outcome of the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting to reflect the issues of discussions and exchanges of views at regional and international levels among ASEAN. On the issue of the East China Sea, ASEAN wished to see all parties involved to discuss and solve the problem by peaceful means to ensure regional stability.
By: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand
When: 7/2/2014
