ASEM has the benefit of being a privileged process where regional developments can be addressed in a non-confrontational way.
Activities within the ASEM political pillar focus on international crises, security, multilateralism, environment and human rights, where they further the dialogue involving Asian and European policymakers. High-level meetings in the form of Summits, Foreign Ministers’ Meetings and Senior Officials’ Meetings have developed a genuine exchange on political issues of concern to ASEM Partners.
ASEM uses diplomacy, dialogue and political will to encourage the implementation of protocols, agreements and UN Security Council resolutions relating to nuclear non-proliferation and weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), the Middle East situation, terrorism, migration and maritime security.
ASEM promotes sustainable development across various important issues, including climate change, the environment, gender equality and the empowerment of women.
The ASEM Process fosters international dialogue based on the respect for the UN Charter and the rule of law, cooperation among members and partnerships with other groups. Ad hoc meetings and consultations, such as those involving national directors-general, mayors and governors, in addition to regularly scheduled meetings are designed to promote ASEM’s effective multilateral approach to solving key issues.
The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the basis of ASEM’s dialogue on human rights. ASEM recognises that such dialogue is related to other areas such as migration, terrorism and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Leaders discuss these issues taking into account human rights principles.
The Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights serves as a unique platform which brings together ASEM Leaders and civil society leaders to share perspectives, build confidence and promote mutual understanding.
Connectivity cuts across all three of ASEM’s pillars, as well as across the issues of common interest. It includes physical links such as economic trade and transportation, digital connectivity in the areas of information and communications technologies, as well as human connectivity through tourism, the creative industries and people-to-people links. The ASEM Pathfinder Group of Connectivity is a series of ASEM meetings undertaken to promote connectivity in these areas. ASEM has created a digital platform called the ASEM Sustainable Connectivity Portal. This resource offers connectivity- and sustainability-related data to help policymakers, researchers, businesses and other stakeholders gather insights into the state of connectivity within ASEM.
Latest ASEM Summit & ASEMFMM Updates
The most recent 12th ASEM Summit (ASEM12) took place in October 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Titled “Global Partners for Global Changes”, it reaffirmed the group’s commitment to multilateralism, continued open dialogue between the two regions, and acknowledged ASEF’s work to build people-to-people connections. Read more in the Chair’s Statement
The 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEMFMM14) took place in December 2019 in Madrid, Spain. Titled “Asia & Europe - Together for Effective Multilateralism”, it “underlined the value of ASEM as a building block for strong and effective multilateralism and the rules-based international order”. Read more in the Chair’s Statement