The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) was convened on October 11, 2024 at Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) under the chairmanship of the LPDR’s prime minister, Sonexay Siphandone. The summit brought together leaders from ASEAN member states as well as key dialogue partners. Further, in attendance were the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as an observer and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. The President of the European Council and the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation participated as guests of the chair, and shared insights on enhancing connectivity and economic integration.
The EAS marked a significant moment for regional dialogue and cooperation among key Indo-Pacific nations. In 2023, it represented approximately 53 per cent of the global population and accounted for around 60 per cent of global GDP.
The 20th EAS would be held in Malaysia in 2025.
About East Asia Summit (EAS)
EAS is a significant regional forum that facilitates strategic dialogue among key Indo-Pacific nations. Established in 2005, it serves as a platform for leaders to address pressing political, security, and economic challenges in the region, and promoting closer cooperation among its members.
As of October 2024, the EAS comprises 18 member countries:
ASEAN members Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Other members Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States of America.
ASEAN plays a central role in the EAS framework, with the chairmanship rotating annually among its member states.
EAS is recognised as the premier forum for discussing a wide range of issues affecting the Indo-Pacific region. It aims to foster a peaceful and stable environment in the region through dialogue and cooperation, enhance economic ties among member countries, and support ASEAN’s efforts towards regional integration. The forum also addresses various security concerns including terrorism, cyber threats, and maritime security.
Some Highlights of the Summit
1. Review and future direction of the EAS
Leaders of the EAS reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern.
The summit reaffirmed its commitment to being an open, inclusive, and transparent forum, integral to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-centred regional architecture under the guiding principles of the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration, the 2011 EAS Declaration on the Principles of Mutually Beneficial Relations, and reaffirmed in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). It emphasised ASEAN’s central role, promoting multilateralism, international law, and cooperation, to foster peace, stability, and prosperity, ensuring a culture of dialogue instead of rivalry.
The leaders emphasised strengthening the EAS to maintain its relevance and effectiveness amidst rapid regional and global changes. They recognised the importance of constructive dialogue among leaders on strategic issues to foster trust, address common challenges, and promote mutual benefits and respect.
Global challenges require collective action. Rising geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, social inequalities, and climate change pose significant threats. Joint efforts and mutual support are necessary to address these issues effectively, both regionally and globally.
The leaders welcomed the efforts to strengthen the EAS work processes, including regular engagement between ASEAN representatives and non-ASEAN ambassadors in Jakarta, and encouraged further enhancements to facilitate cooperation and coordination.
2. Areas of cooperation
The EAS leaders expressed their satisfaction with progress under the new EAS Plan of Action (2024–28). They noted advancements in climate, environment, energy, global health, natural disaster management, ASEAN connectivity, and maritime cooperation.
The leaders are looking forward to fully implementing the plan and strengthening the EAS as a premier forum for regional peace, stability, and economic prosperity. They support ASEAN’s efforts to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and reaffirm their commitment to the 2023 EAS Leaders’ Statement and other relevant declarations.
Peace and security The leaders reaffirmed the importance of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. They highlighted ASEAN’s adoption of key regional frameworks, including the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on WPS. The leaders recalled the 2020 EAS Leaders’ Statement on WPS and urged participating countries to carry out more activities to implement the commitments.
The EAS leaders emphasised the importance of securing information and communications technologies (ICTs). They reaffirmed the need for cooperation to promote an open, secure, stable, and peaceful ICT environment through capacity building. The leaders encouraged the participating countries in the EAS to enhance cooperation, guided by the 2015 and 2018 EAS Leaders’ Statements on ICT security.
Sustainable development ASEAN’s Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication initiated several sustainable development projects such as High-Level Brainstorming Dialogue (HLBD); the ASEAN Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with National Development Planning Agencies; and the ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue. These initiatives involve EAS participating countries, mainly focusing on SDGs 2030 and ASEAN Community Vision 2025, among others.
Climate, environment, and energy cooperation The 13th EAS High-Level Seminar on Sustainable Cities (HLS-SC) addressed sustainable development, combating marine debris, and climate resilience. EAS participating countries recognised the importance of sustainable recovery, supporting economic growth and climate goals, pursuing the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement (limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 °C) and implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The leaders discussed addressing climate change through nature-based solutions and sharing best practices. Cooperation on air pollution, marine pollution, and conservation was encouraged. The 18th EAS Energy Ministers’ Meeting reaffirmed enhancing regional energy interconnectivity, implementing the ASEAN Power Grid by 2045, and supporting the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC). Progress was noted on the EAS Leaders’ Statement on Sustainable Recovery and regional power interconnection projects.
Education cooperation The EAS reaffirmed its commitment to education cooperation, focusing on youth exchanges, lifelong skills, and digital literacy. EAS education cooperation has been aligned with ASEAN’s Work Plan on Education 2021–25. Key areas include Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) by implementing its work plan 2021–30 by ASEAN TVET Council (ATC), higher education, research, people-to-people exchanges, strengthening competency of teachers in information and communications technologies (ICT), education for sustainable development, and mental health. The EAS further sought to enhance cooperation in sports, culture, and arts, leveraging ASEAN’s cultural diversity for economic growth and sustainable development.
Finance The EAS leaders reaffirmed the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen global economic recovery.
Global health issues and pandemic diseases The EAS acknowledged the need to strengthen collective capacity in epidemic prevention and response, and mental health cooperation, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes Russia’s proposed regional mechanism and finalising the EAS Joint Action Plan on Mental Health Cooperation and the progress of the aims of the EAS Leaders’ Statement on Mental Health Cooperation, with a workshop co-hosted by Brunei Darussalam and Australia to provide opportunities to identify mental health system challenges and developing greater regional and cross-sectoral cooperation.
Cooperation on natural disaster management The EAS reaffirmed support for ASEAN’s disaster management efforts through the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) and ‘One ASEAN, One Response’ declaration. The goal is to enhance disaster response speed, scale, and solidarity. EAS participating countries would strengthen collaboration with ASEAN, supporting the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) disaster management centre’s capacity and climate and disaster resilience. Additionally, they would enhance early warning systems, preparedness, and response. Engagement in ASEAN-led activities, such as disaster simulation exercises, is encouraged. The EAS aims to promote cooperation in disaster management, building resilience, and effective disaster response in the region.
Cooperation on ASEAN connectivity The EAS supports ASEAN Connectivity, aligning with Lao PDR’s chairmanship theme ‘Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience’. EAS aims to enhance cooperation with non-ASEAN members for implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and its successor. Its objectives include developing tangible connectivity projects, promoting synergies among initiatives, and maintaining engagement between ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) and non-ASEAN members. The 15th ASEAN Connectivity Symposium had welcomed non-ASEAN participation. EAS has been encouraging continued collaboration for the creation of an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient ASEAN Community Post 2025 Vision, supporting regional connectivity and advancement.
Economic cooperation and trade The EAS reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. EAS welcomed Timor-Leste’s WTO accession, paving its path to ASEAN membership. The summit emphasised enhancing economic cooperation among participating countries, focusing on digitalisation, green economy, renewable energy, and supply chain resilience. Promoting circular economy approaches and sustainable growth was further underscored. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN (ERIA) and East Asia’s research and analysis on regional economic integration were acknowledged, including its paper on navigating a net-zero economy presented at the 12th EAS economic ministers’ meeting.
Poverty alleviation The EAS commended ASEAN’s efforts to eradicate poverty through the Senior Officials’ Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE). The EAS supported advancing social protection, transforming rural development, and sharing best practices for addressing vulnerabilities, climate change, and disasters, aligning with ASEAN’s Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection.
Maritime cooperation The EAS supports strengthening maritime cooperation among participating countries, following international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2015 EAS statement on enhancing regional maritime cooperation, and the 2020 EAS Leaders’ statement on marine sustainability. This collective approach aims to enhance regional maritime cooperation, promote marine sustainability, and complement other ASEAN-led mechanisms like ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) to avoid duplication and boost effectiveness.
Advancement and empowerment of women and youth participation The EAS expressed its support for strengthening cooperation to advance equal participation, leadership, and empowerment of women and youth.
Key areas of focus include:
- promotion of women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship;
- recognition of the value of paid and unpaid care work;
- enhancement of youth economic empowerment through innovation, trade, and financial inclusion;
- safeguarding children’s rights in the digital space through the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action;
- preventing and eliminating child labour;
- operationalising the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework and the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025;
- supporting regional initiatives and mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Committee on Women and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and protection of the Rights of Women and Children;
- collaborating on knowledge exchange, shared advocacy, and child protection online; and
- adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Prevention and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.
By advancing these initiatives, EAS aims to promote inclusive and sustainable growth, social cohesion, and gender equality in the region.
3. Regional and international issues
The EAS expressed concern over regional and global issues.
Key concerns include:
- Korean peninsula North Korea’s missile testing
- South China Sea Maintenance of peace, security, and freedom of navigation
- Myanmar Violence against civilians and humanitarian crisis
- Ukraine Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity
- Gaza Humanitarian crisis and need for ceasefire
Additionally, EAS has called for:
- peaceful dialogue and cooperation; and
- compliance with international law;
- immediate cessation of hostilities;
- humanitarian access; and
- self-restraint and diplomacy.
The EAS reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace, security, and stability through international cooperation and diplomacy.
India’s Association with EAS and her Objectives
India became a member of EAS in 2005, and aligns with several strategic objectives aimed at enhancing its influence and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key objectives include:
Strengthening regional cooperation India seeks to reinforce its role as a pivotal player in regional cooperation frameworks. By participating in the EAS, India aims to collaborate with ASEAN and other member states to address common challenges such as security threats, economic instability, and environmental issues. This cooperation is crucial for fostering peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Supporting ASEAN centrality India emphasises the importance of ASEAN as a central pillar in its foreign policy, particularly under its Act East Policy. By supporting ASEAN centrality, India aims to enhance its strategic partnership with Southeast Asian nations, ensuring that regional dynamics are inclusive and representative of all member states’ interests.
Promoting a rules-based order India advocated for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, which is essential for maintaining international law and maritime security. Through the EAS, India promotes adherence to international norms and seeks to counterbalance rising geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning China’s assertiveness in the region.
Addressing global challenges India uses the EAS platform to address pressing global issues such as terrorism, climate change, and supply chain resilience. By collaborating on these challenges, India aims to build strategic alliances that enhance collective security and economic stability among member countries.
Economic engagement Participating in the EAS allows India to strengthen economic ties with key trading partners in the region. The summit provides an opportunity to discuss trade agreements, investment opportunities, and initiatives that can enhance economic cooperation among member states.
Cultural and civilisational ties India seeks to leverage its cultural connections with Southeast Asian countries, which are rooted in shared histories and traditions such as Buddhism. Strengthening these ties can foster goodwill and enhance diplomatic relations within the EAS framework. Initiatives like supporting the Nalanda University are aimed at enhancing India’s cultural influence and strengthening connections with Southeast Asian nations.
Enhancing maritime security Given the strategic importance of maritime routes in the Indo-Pacific, India focuses on enhancing maritime security cooperation through the EAS. This includes discussions on counter-piracy efforts, disaster response mechanisms, and collaborative approaches to managing maritime disputes.
Conclusion
To conclude, the 19th EAS served as a vital platform for discussing strategic challenges and enhancing cooperation among member states, reinforcing the importance of a collaborative approach to achieving peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. India’s participation in the Summit underscored its commitment to a development-oriented approach in the region, emphasising peace and stability over expansionism.
© Spectrum Books Pvt Ltd.
