The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a regional leaders' forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on key challenges facing the East Asian region. The EAS is a significant regional grouping with an important role to play in advancing closer regional integration and cooperation at a time of particular dynamism in East Asia. Australia participated, as a founding member, in the inaugural EAS held in Kuala Lumpur on 14 December 2005.
Membership of the EAS comprises the ten ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United States and Russia. The 18 EAS member countries represent collectively 55 per cent of the world’s population and account for around 55 per cent of global GDP [IMF purchasing power parity GDP figures 2014]; EAS countries received more than 77 per cent of Australia's total exports and two-way trade with EAS countries was worth $460.9 billion in 2014-2015. The centrepiece of the EAS year is an annual leaders' Summit, usually held back-to-back with annual ASEAN leaders' meetings. In addition, ministerial and senior officials' meetings are held during the year to take forward leaders' initiatives.
The Prime Minister attended the 10th EAS, held in Kuala Lumpur on 22 November. The Summit was a valuable opportunity for leaders to engage on key political, security and economic issues and reiterate their commitment to the EAS on its 10th anniversary. EAS leaders discussed terrorism and violent extremism, maritime security and the management of disputes in the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and irregular migration.
EAS leaders adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the East Asia Summit, which contains a number of institutional reform commitments. They also adopted: a Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation; a Statement on Countering Violent Extremism (proposed by Australia and co-sponsored by Malaysia and the Republic of Korea); a Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates; a Statement on Issues Related to Security of and in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies; and a Statement on Enhancing Regional Health Security Relating to Infectious Diseases with Epidemic and Pandemic Potential and. Leaders endorsed the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Malaria Elimination Roadmap that outlines the approach to realise the common goal of an ‘Asia Pacific free of malaria by 2030’.
Earlier in 2015, the Foreign Minister attended the 5th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 6 August. Foreign Ministers discussed regional and global political and security developments, including maritime security in the South China Sea, countering violent extremism, DRPK, the recent Iran nuclear agreement and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. They welcomed efforts to strengthen the EAS during its 10th anniversary year and practical cooperation to address a range of tradition and non-traditional security issues. Foreign Ministers adopted a statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding the P5+1 nuclear deal with Iran.
The Minister for Trade and Investment attended the EAS Economic (Trade) Ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur from 23-24 August. It was an opportunity to discuss the declaration of the ASEAN Economic Community and ongoing efforts to address behind the border measures related to non-tariff measures, services integration and reforms of investment policies.
East Asia Summit documents 2015