ASEAN, UN foster comprehensive partnership

Both sides agreed to redouble efforts to enhance the efficiency of ASEAN-UN cooperation through a more coordinated approach, strategic and long-term planning, and stable funding sources. 

They agreed to strengthen concrete cooperation in each pillar of the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership. 

They also agreed to work on a five-year plan of action to implement the Joint Declaration in the post-2015 period, to be finalised in the first quarter of 2016. 

The meeting further recognised the importance of considering the implementation of the ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision alongside the realisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to complement one another, particularly in reducing poverty and hunger, tackling inequalities and promoting women empowerment, fostering sustainable economic growth and equitable social development, protecting the environment, ensuring peoples’ access to clean water and clean air, minimising adverse impact of climate change and building effective institutions to achieve sustainable and inclusive development as well as in enhancing the collaboration between the UN and its specialised agencies. 

The UN reaffirmed its continued support to ASEAN’s post-2015 community building and ASEAN’s centrality in the evolving regional architectures. 

The meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concerns, such as peacekeeping and conflict prevention, combating international terrorism and preventing violent extremism, addressing transnational crime, the irregular movement of persons, disaster risk reduction, response and recovery, food and energy security, global health issues, and inclusive and sustainable development. 

The meeting also affirmed the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes, including in the East Sea, through dialogue and in conformity with international law. 

The meeting welcomed ASEAN’s continuing efforts to engage with the UN and its positive contribution to the work of these bodies and to multilateralism in general.