12th ASEM Summit - Europe and Asia: Global Partners for Global Challenges

12th ASEM Summit - Europe and Asia: Global Partners for Global Challenges

On the 18th-19th October 2018, Brussels will be hosting its 12th Asia-Europe Summit meeting (ASEM). According to the ASEM12 Brussels Declaration, the key theme in this year’s summit is ‘Europe and Asia: Global Partners for Global Challenges’.

The emphasis will be on strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the two regions in a wide range of global issues including: trade and investment; connectivity; sustainable development and climate; security challenges, such as terrorism, non-proliferation, cyber-security, and irregular migration.

ASEM was established in 1996 by the European Union (EU) and several Asian countries that were part of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN), and the individual countries of China, Japan, and Korea. The Summit brings together Heads of State and Government from 30 European countries and 21 Asian Countries, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is an informal multi-sectoral political dialogue and cooperation process which is based on equal partnership and enhancing mutual understanding in diverse political, economic and socio-cultural issues that are of common interest to the two regions.

Australia’s bid to join ASEM was deferred indefinitely at the April 1998 ASEM Summit in London, due to opposition from the Malaysian government under the Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Muhammad and some other East Asian countries including Indonesia. Those countries considered Australia ‘un-Asian’ and more ‘Western’, seeking to focus instead on deepening East Asia’s regional cohesion. Australia formally applied for ASEM membership, under the Rudd Government, in October 2008. Following the confirmation in May 2009 of Australia’s application to join ASEM, Australia’s Foreign Minister formally announced Australia’s involvement on the 28th May 2009.  Australia’s interest and enthusiasm to participate in ASEM has been motivated by a desire to exert ‘quiet diplomacy’ while actively advancing Australia’s national interests within the region by building on existing partnerships and fostering dialogue with the Asia-Pacific.

Alongside ASEM, are three forums: ‘Asia-Europe Business Forum’ (AEBF), ‘Asia-Europe People’s Forum’ (AEPF), and the ‘Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership’. These fora emerged in the late-1990s from a shared desire among peoples, organisations and networks in Asia and Europe to create new avenues for dialogue, cooperation and solidarity, as well as to strengthen trade and investment relations between the two continents. The AEPF in particular provides the opportunity to bring representatives from organisations and social movements across the two continents together to share experiences, ideas and strategies and to further develop plans of action for the future. 

By Sophie Di Francesco - Mayot

16 October 2018

Share

16 October 2018

Share

Engage

Related News

14086693619_1d5641df7d_b.jpg

ESAANZ 2022 Conference Report: The European Union in the Age of Global Turbulence
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 17 Jan 2023

On 24 November 2022, the European Studies Association Australia and New Zealand (ESAANZ), in partnership with RMIT University’s European Union Centre of Excellence, held its annual conference, themed The European Union in the Age of Global Turbulence.

cop27-special-news-1220x732.jpg

COP27 Special: Transformation, not Targets
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 12 Dec 2022

COP27 was held in Sharm El-Sheik in November this year, and has already faded from the news cycle. In this reflective discussion, Emma is joined by Professors Ben Cashore and Navroz K Dubash, both of whom attended the meeting as observers.

Photo of a person sitting behind a desk. The left of the desk has a globe that is facing America and Africa, and the right of the desk has five books stacked on top of each other with the spine not being visible. The person is wearing a white long sleeved shirt with black dots, black glasses and is holding an EU flag in their right hand. Their left hand is resting on the desk. They are looking at the camera straight on and smiling.

Teaching the Teachers - Integrating the EU into Secondary School Curricula in Victoria and NSW
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 09 Feb 2022

Secondary School / High School Teachers in Victoria and New South Wales are invited to these workshops on integrating the European Union and European Studies into secondary school curriculum.

A colourful image of buildings and people with the text IURC at the top

Launch of European Union-Australia Cities Cooperation within the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 03 Dec 2021

With the assistance of the European Union Centre of Excellence at RMIT University, Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne will begin to establish cooperation on urban development with Barcelona, Florence, Hamburg, and Madrid within the IURC programme.

Load more +
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information