ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

DECLARATION ON STIMULATING TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN

SUSTAINABILITY AS BRIDGED TO AN INTEGRATED ASEAN CITIES

Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Brunei Darussalam,

the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People's Democratic
Republic, the Federation of Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the
Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”;

PREAMBLE

1. Assembled as one body with the goal of creating an ASEAN community that is
inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and dynamic.

2. Inspired by one vision, one identity, one community, and one caring and sharing
community;

3. Reaffirming the significant contributions made, and accomplishments of ASEAN

since its establishment in Bangkok through the promulgation of the ASEAN
declarations and work plans.

4. Guided by the principles and implementations of ASEAN sustainable

Urbanization Strategy (2016); Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) strategic
framework and IAI Work Plan II (2009-2015); ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable
Cities (ESC) and Model Cities Programme – ASEAN SDGs Frontrunner Cities
Programme (SDGs-FC); ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 and
ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

5. Commends every country's endeavor to strengthen the goal of AEC in promoting

better urbanization and reducing development gaps or urban inequality among
member states in achieving urban stability and territorial development across ASEAN
cities. *

6. Mindful of the existence of mutual interests and interdependence amongst people

and member states of ASEAN which are bound by geography, common objectives,
and shared destiny; and that the key to gain a successful integration is through the
three pillars as factions in which the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is at hand.
 7. Recognizing the fundamental importance of amity and cooperation, the principles
of sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, non-interference, consensus, and unity in
diversity.

8. Encouraging all ASEAN Member States (AMS) to continuously enhance and give
assistance to developing countries in making the most of the potential benefits of
regional integration, while also helping them cope with the associated challenges and
economic risks.

9. Calling upon all head of states, housing and urban development institutions,
governments, and other stakeholders to cooperate and coordinate more closely on
stimulating territorial development and urban sustainability as bridged to an integrated
ASEAN cities.

10. And to this end, the head of states and government of the ASEAN Member
States (AMS) assembled in the Philippines have agreed to the amendments in the
resolution.

ON STIMULATING TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

AS BRIDGED TO AN INTEGRATED ASEAN CITIES

WE, the Head of States/Government of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia,

the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Federation of

Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the

Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,

assembled here on the 30th and 31st of January until the 1st of February 2020, for the 6th

installation of University of Santo Tomas Model ASEAN Meeting with the theme: "ASEAN

Vision 2025: Synergistic community mobilization and sustainable resource allocation

through regional cooperation";

1. COGNIZANT of the rising global challenges, urban, and territorial development

gaps of ASEAN cities and its people;
 2. CONCERNED with the pace of urban infrastructure development – giving attention
to problems in terms of inequality, congestion, economic, environmental and health
problems in benefit of obtaining and providing economic welfare of the people;

3. RECALLING the past efforts of ASEAN in recognizing the major trends affecting
urbanization and stock take of actions taken linked to sustainable urbanization with
the implementations of the ASEAN Committee through ASEAN Economic Vision
2025 and the framework ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy (ASUS) 2016.
4. RECALLING FURTHER the ASUS framework incorporated is consistent with the
ASEAN Smart Cities (ASC) framework as well as under the strategic area of
Sustainable Infrastructure of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC)
2025.
5. ENCOURAGING the ASEAN Member States (AMS) to promote and improve the
betterment of ASEAN Cities and attain a cohesive regional economy that supports
high economic growth by increasing trade, investment, and employment rate;
improving regional capacity to respond to global challenges and mega trends;

DO HEREBY DECLARE:

1. TO PROVIDE a report on the current economic status of the respective countries.

(a) Measure the development gap across ASEAN countries. This refers to the

measurement level of development of each state compared to other ASEAN

countries.

(b) Facilitating exchange of practices and an environmental reach out programs that
will include green sustainable seminars and workshops.
2. TO EXPAND financial resources of the ASEAN community through government
reviewed financial management;
(a) funding programs of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) like the Trade
Finance Program. The funding of ADB for various projects paved way to
improve trade and reduce poverty.
 3. TO CREATE employment opportunities and to provide vocational training to all
citizens, including those returning from abroad and local main cities and give major
priority in the short-term economic enterprises that create more job openings;

(a) Investing on local workforce found in ASEAN states in order to lessen

dependency to import services and companies

4. TO ESTABLISH Economic Corridor Development (ECD) throughout the ASEAN region

in order to facilitate a more effective and inclusive economic environment.

5. TO SUPPORT the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Small Medium Enterprise

(SME) that can better the business environment for related industries by:

(a) Reducing the strain on member states’ national budget to other areas of
sustainable development that include but are not limited to infrastructure
projects;

6. TO PRIORITISE efficient and effective development of the following fundamental

economic infrastructures and systems such as the following:
➢ electricity generation
➢ roadways, waterways, and airports
➢ data ID card system
➢ a digital government strategy
➢ an e-government system that will include data privacy protection
➢ water system
➢ green spaces
➢ educational system
➢ waste management system
➢ disaster risk reduction management
➢ primary healthcare system
➢ sustainable transportation system
7. TO IMPLEMENT capable building programmes to support and improve the institutes
of local research and innovations in Urban Solutions and Sustainability (USS) fields by:

(a) Encouraging the involvement of professionals and students in the field of

science and technology and engineering to assist the advancement of
urban solutions and sustainability in the ASEAN region; and
 (b) Supporting and funding collaborative research concerning the development
of ASEAN member states with companies and ASEAN member universities
and ASEAN to seed and build capabilities in areas ahead of industry need;

9. TO RAISE awareness concerning 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that will
include the following actions:

(a) Encouraging the relevant bodies under the three pillars of the ASEAN Community
by incorporating education of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into
their working plans;
(b) Educating government and institutional personnel about the concepts and
methods of sustainable development that will provide greater economic
commitment among ASEAN Member States through the ASEAN Quality
Assurance Network (AQAN); and
(c) Promoting the 2030 Agenda by integrating all fields of study with the goal of
building a peaceful and cohesive society;

12. TO ENCOURAGE all member states to be observant toward the common biases
including budget overspending, irresponsible management, in dealing with infrastructure
planning to comply with the principle of ASUS (ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization
Strategy):

(a) Appoint representative officials from all member states to work on observing
in reviewing the report progress
(b) Submit biannual report and plans related to infrastructural status from bureau
office of the National Urban Planning Ministry/Institution

13. TO ENCOURAGE all member states to be observant of local conditions and the
proper localization of ASUS (ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy)
 ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

ASEAN DECLARATION ON PLAN OF ACTION IN CLOSE COOPERATION

TO SUPPRESS TRANSNATIONAL CRIME

Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Brunei

Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao Peoples
Democratic Republic, Federation of Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,
the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand,
and the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam, hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”

PREAMBLE

WE, THE PEOPLES of the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN), as represented by the Heads of State or Government of Brunei
Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, Federation of Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,
the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

INSPIRED by and United under One Vision, One Identity, and One Caring and Sharing
Community, as enunciated in ASEAN Publication

NOTING the decision of the 29th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Jakarta in July
1996 on the need to focus attention on such issues as illicit drug trafficking, cybercrime,
environmental crimes, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, economic crimes, including
money laundering, environment and illegal migration which transcend borders and affect
the lives of the people in the region, and the urgent need to manage such transnational
issues so that they would not affect the long term viability of ASEAN and its individual
member nations;

CONCERNED about the pernicious effects of transnational crime, such as terrorism, illicit
drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering, migrant smuggling, human
trafficking, cybercrime, environmental crime, and piracy on regional stability,
development, the maintenance of the rule of law, and the welfare of the region’s peoples;
RECALLING the decision of ASEAN on the implementation of the ASEAN declaration on
the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers in 2007, the establishment
of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and
Children in 2010, the ASEAN declaration on its commitment to Human Rights in 2012,
and the convention of ASEAN against trafficking in persons, especially women and
children in 2015;

SENSIBLE about the existence of mutual interests and interdependence among the
peoples and Member States of ASEAN which are bound by geography, common
objectives, and shared destiny;

RECOGNIZING the need for clear and effective regional modalities to combat these
forms of transnational crimes, especially on the aspect of information exchange and policy
coordination;

DESIRING to establish a firm foundation for common action to promote regional

cooperation to combat transnational crimes in Southeast Asia in the spirit of equality,
security, and partnership and thereby contribute towards peace, progress, and prosperity
in the region;

ADHERING to the Principles of Consensus, the Rule of law, and Good Governance;

RESOLVED to ensure the protection of the Member States of ASEAN and its people and
to strengthen the security of the region for the benefit of present and future generations;

COMMITTED to intensify the regional and international cooperation in combating

Transnational Crimes among all nations, as well as timely issues related;

AND TO THIS END, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of ASEAN,
assembled in Vietnam, have agreed to the amendments in the resolution.
DO HEREBY DECLARE:

FIRST, the objective of this Community is to implement action plan to combat

transnational crime, to ensure regional security, and to promote social justice.

SECOND, the aims and purposes of the Association shall be:

1. To continue the commitment of Member Countries cooperation among

ASEAN Member States at a regional level in combating trafficking in person

and migrant smuggling by increasing the effort in investigating, prosecuting,

and convicting the criminals according to the law of each states separately.

2. To collaborate more effectively for the promotion of peace and security

among member states and its people on sex trade, illegal prostitution, and

labor exploitation.

3. To decrease the number of transnational crimes by strengthening the

implementation of laws to cease corruption through monitoring increasing

transparency, and information sharing among ASEAN Member States.

4. To synthesize each member states to build a group of experts that will

further the research to address transnational crimes, to help each Member

states initiate proper actions and to implement laws that are necessary for

progress and success of this plan.

5. To expand the scope of Member Countries’ efforts against transnational

crimes such as terrorism, cybercrime, illicit drug trafficking, arms smuggling,

money laundering, migrant smuggling, environmental crimes, human

trafficking, and piracy, and to request the ASEAN Secretary-General to

include these areas in the work programme of the ASEAN Secretariat.

 6. To empower all the relevant national government agencies and non-

government organizations to strengthen the governing policies more

effectively, as the states know and affirms that transnational crimes is a

serious global concern that could potentially harm the stability, economy

and security of all ASEAN Member States.

7. To assess the improvement of intelligence agencies to efficiently manage

the investigatory bodies in combating transnational crimes.

8. To ensure the enforcement of ratifications dealt upon the current treaties of

ASEAN Member States in combating transnational crimes by utilizing

different strategies, unique plans and establishing excellent frameworks.

9. To give equal opportunity in all ASEAN states and strengthen its

relationship between its international partners to combat all forms of

transnational crimes.

10. To consistently adhere to holding the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on

Transnational Crime and Maritime Crises which could help facilitate a more

cohesive plan of action.

THIRD, that to carry out these aims and purposes, the following procedures shall be
established:

All member states must confront the crisis by formulating governmental body to
collaborate closely with international organizations such as INTERPOL - National Center
of Bureau for assistance to increase the effectiveness on implementing laws and
international maritime organizations to ensure safety at sea.

Establishing a law in information center in each states to provide additional trainings

regarding the risk of transnational crime to the highly vulnerable.
Requesting the developed countries in ASEAN to give financial aid to the lacking
countries in order to improve their state capacity.

(a) Annual Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, referred to as the ASEAN

Ministers Meeting. Special Meetings of Foreign Ministers may be convened as
required.

(b) A Standing committee, under the chairmanship of the Foreign Minister of the
host country or his representative and having as its members the accredited
Ambassadors of the other member countries, to carry on the work of the
Association in between Meetings of Foreign Ministers.

(c) Ad-Hoc Committees and Permanent Committees of specialists and officials on

transnational crimes.

(d) A National Secretariat in each member country to carry out the work of the
Association on behalf of that country and to service the Annual or Special Meetings
of Foreign Ministers, the Standing Committee and such other committees as may
hereafter be established.

FOURTH, that the Association is open for participation to all including inter-governmental
organizations and in Southeast Asian Region subscribing to the aforementioned aims,
principles and purposes as approved by the host country.

FIFTH, that the association represents the collective will of ASEAN and its international
partners working together in partnership and cooperation to combat transnational crimes
through joint efforts and compromises to secure the safety and prosperity of the citizens
in the Southeast Asian regions.

DONE in Hanoi, Vietnam

 ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

DECLARATION ON PREVENTING DEFORESTATION AND PROMOTING FOREST

CONSERVATION IN ASEAN

Member Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Brunei Darussalam,

the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic
Republic, the Federation of Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic
of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam, hereinafter referred to as “ASEAN”;

PREAMBLE

1. Assembled as one body with the goal of creating an ASEAN community that is
inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and dynamic;

2. Inspired by One Vision, One Identity, and One Community;

3. Reaffirming the significant contributions and accomplishments of ASEAN since its

establishment in Bangkok through the promulgation of The ASEAN Declarations and
Work Plans;

4. Guided by the principles of: The 2007 ASEAN Declaration on Environmental

Sustainability, the Bangkok Resolution on ASEAN Environmental Cooperation,
ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan 2014-2018, the Declaration on ASEAN
Post-2015 Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Agenda, the Strategic
Plan of Action for ASEAN Co-operation on Forestry (2016-2025), the ASEAN Strategic
Plan on Environment (ASPEN), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint
2025;

5. Commending all efforts made by each country to solidify ASCC’s goal promoting
better quality of life and well-being to the people of ASEAN;

6. Deeply conscious of the implications and benefits of the environment on the citizens
of each Member State;
7. Expressing concern on the alarming rate of deforestation within the region and the
strong desire for proper forest conservation;

8. Stressing the need to work hand-in-hand in steering ASEAN to a more developed

and sustainable standard of living;

9. Requesting all Heads of States or Governments and other stakeholders to further

cooperate on the prevention of deforestation and the promotion of forest conservation
in ASEAN;

10. AND TO THIS END the Heads of States or Governments of the Member States of
ASEAN, assembled in Vietnam, have agreed to the amendments in the resolution.

ON PREVENTING DEFORESTATION AND PROMOTING FOREST CONSERVATION

IN ASEAN

WE, the Heads of States and Governments of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of
Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the
Federation of Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the
Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam, assembled here on the 30th of January to the 1st of February 2020,
for the 6th installation of UST Model ASEAN Meeting with the theme “ASEAN Vision
2025” with the intention of fostering community mobilization and sustainable resource
allocation;

1. Fully aware of the existence of forests within the region that contribute to the welfare
of all citizens of ASEAN Member States (AMS);

2. Cognizant of the vast and diverse ecosystems that exist in the forests in ASEAN
which aid in the betterment of each Member State, both economically and
environmentally;

3. Mindful of the repercussions of forest degradation, such as but not limited to:
 a. climate extremes
b. wildlife endangerment
c. habitat destruction
d. Environmental health risks
i. Airborne diseases
ii. The risk of acquiring respiratory diseases that are caused by airborne
diseases due to the mentioned climate extremes and the like
iii. Zoonotic diseases or diseases that might be transmitted from
animals to humans
iv. Waterborne diseases caused by monsoonal floods due to
deforestation
v. Skin-related infections due to climate extremes

4. Calls upon the utilization of health services;

5. Convinced that inclusive economic growth, rural development, and sustainable

standards of living that can be brought from responsible forest management;

6. Determined to significantly improve the quality of forested areas in the region, both
protected and otherwise, and the biodiversity that exists within them;

7. Profoundly concerned with causes of deforestation and forest degradation within the
region;
a. Direct causes
i. Human activities
1. illegal logging
2. the slash and burn agricultural system
ii. Natural disasters
1. Hurricanes
2. Parasites
3. Floods
4. Wildfires
b. Indirect causes such as government failures and inconsistencies for
example
i. Conversion of forest lands to agricultural lands
ii. Conversion of forest lands to urbanized lands
1. The road and infrastructure construction
iii. Inappropriate forest management and harvesting method
iv. Exploitation of forest lands by private sectors
8. Encouraging all ASEAN Member States to continuously develop measures to
maintain, preserve, and protect forests and peatlands to guarantee inclusive growth
in the height of urbanization;

9. Coordinating as one community with the goal of assisting ASEAN Member States
in the area of environmental protection

DO HEREBY DECLARE:

1. TO PURSUE a greener ASEAN through the following:

a. establishing necessary new protected areas and fortifying the security of
existing protected areas
b. expanding forest cover through reforestation
c. protecting forest resources and conserving biodiversity
d. reclaiming peatlands

2. TO FORMULATE a framework of policies established by ASEAN that will promote

sustainable forest management across the region;

3. TO STRENGTHEN partnership and cooperation between governments and other

entities to ensure forest protection such as:
a. Recognized private sectors
b. dialogue partners
c. other international organizations
i. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
ii. United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
iii. ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network
iv. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
d. Non-government organizations
e. Local communities
f. Management boards
4. TO CONSIDER stricter policies that will address illegal logging and trading by
upholding specific standards such as:
a. creating verification systems for logging companies and their amount of
collected materials

5. TO MONITOR forest land ownership as well as resource consumption of privately

owned areas such as plantations and resorts;

6. TO COMMENCE the practice of reforestation to businesses and private ownerships

that greatly utilize wood as commodities;

7. TO URGE corporations to take responsibility with regard to their timber and non-timber
consumption by:
a. Regulating and monitoring the amount of resources expended to prevent
waste
b. Proposing to exchange land areas used for commercial agriculture with
government-owned land
c. Establishing designated areas managed by public and private corporations
for commercial forestry

8. TO INITIATE implementation to further strengthen sustainable forest management

a. To promote social forestry programs that effectively contribute to
sustainable forest management such as climate change adaptation and
mitigation by conducting
i. Seminars
ii. Campaigns
iii. Workshops
iv. Publications via forms of
1. Traditional media (television and radio)
2. Digital media

9. TO COLLABORATE with businesses and organizations to regulate the harvesting of

forest-based resources in order to reduce deforestation in supply chains;
10. TO PROMOTE the creation and the maintenance of existing national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries to secure the conservation of forest ecosystems;

11. TO ENDORSE environmental education in educational institutions and workplaces;

a. By enhancing environmental education in pre-existing subjects in general
education
i. By upholding activities that expose students involved in these
educational institutions through the form of immersions, outreaches,
field trips, etc.
ii. By participating in informal activities such as film viewing, take-home
assignments, etc.

12. TO FURTHER INVITE investing in people with regards to poorly implemented

environmental regulations such as highlighting the significance of wider national
development, rural development, and poverty reduction strategies;

13. TO ENCOURAGE and promote in further research endeavours with regard to

sustainable and innovative means of forestry.