2005-IGM-SPG 10.pdf - Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change ...

IGM/10/10
SPG/10/10
During the summit, ASEAN leaders addressed the following issues: the economy and
prosperity; security and peace; socio-cultural matters; and humanity. In addition,
they agreed to accelerate the integration of 11 priority sectors under the Framework
Agreement towards the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), to be established by
2020. Memoranda and agreements, on comprehensive economic corporations
between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and, Australia, China, New
Zealand, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation, were
developed.
Environmental and natural resource protection and sustainable development were
among the topics under ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community’s goals. These have been
embedded into the ASEAN Vision 2020, by promoting a culture of science and
technology, and enhancing cooperation in the utilisation of appropriate applied
science and technology in socio-economic activities to improve social well-being and
develop mechanisms for environmental governance. The ASEAN Socio-Cultural
Committee’s action plan marked ASEAN’s commitment to the Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation of the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD). It
focussed on the following ten priority areas: 1) global environmental issues; 2) land
and forest fires and trans-boundary haze pollution; 3) coastal and marine
environment; 4) sustainable forest management; 5) sustainable management of
natural parks and protected areas; 6) freshwater resources; 7) public awareness
and environmental education; 8) promotion of environmentally sound technologies
and cleaner production; 9) urban environmental management and governance; and
10) sustainable monitoring and reporting, and database harmonisation. The strategic
planning included regional and national driven initiatives set up of regional
mechanism or standards, strengthen networks and partnerships, community building
efforts, promote environmental education, and improve science and technology
competence of ASEAN’s human resources.
• Outcomes and Products:
The following outcomes have resulted from the 2004/2005 activities:
1. Two regional research networks, consisting of climate change scientists, were
established for water resources and crop production.
2. Capacity building of human resources, networks, and collaboration at intergovernmental
and institutional levels were initiated.
3. Training for scientists on tools and techniques was created to improve their
know-how in conducting future research and studies in their respective countries.
4. Experts and scientists in the region will share their research results and studies
as knowledge exchange sessions to enhance their capability in their future
studies.
5. Development of institutional awareness, the collaborative network of the
scientific community, and capacity; and an improvement of communications and
coordination activities in the region.
• Future Activities:
7-9 April 2005. Meeting of the Southeast Asia Chapter Coordinators of the
APN/SCOPE/START Rapid Assessment of Global Change in Monsoon Asia.
Chiang Mai, Thailand.
23-27 May 2005. The 6th Session of the WESTPAC Sub-Commission. Nha Trang,
Viet Nam.
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