CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT OF THE 26TH ASEAN PLUS THREE FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 10 July 2025

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

OF THE 26TH ASEAN PLUS THREE FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 10 July 2025

1. The 26th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting was chaired by The Honourable Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.

Review and Future Direction of ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Cooperation

2. The Meeting noted with satisfaction the progress in APT cooperation over the past year and discussed its future direction. The Meeting reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening and deepening the APT process which plays a key role and remain as a main vehicle for advancing regional community-building efforts and in promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity in the East Asian region with ASEAN as the driving force. The Meeting also recognised the importance of the APT to ASEAN's efforts towards realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021-2025), and deeper regional integration in East Asia.

3. The Meeting welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future by the ASEAN Leaders as a strategic vision to guide ASEAN Community-building over the next two decades. The Plus Three countries reaffirmed their commitment to support ASEAN Community-building, including through the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and other concrete activities to realise a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN by 2045. The Meeting agreed to further strengthen the APT partnership in accordance with the principles of the ASEAN Charter and Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), as well as AOIP. ASEAN encouraged future APT cooperation to facilitate the objectives outlined in the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

4. The Meeting noted the importance of the AOIP as a guide for ASEAN's engagement in the wider Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions and noted the outcomes of the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on the AOIP for the Future-Ready ASEAN and ASEAN-Centred Regional Architecture, including promoting open and inclusive economic engagement and cooperation through concrete and practical projects and activities in the four priority areas of the AOIP.

5. The Meeting appreciated the notable progress made in the implementation of the APT Cooperation Work Plan (2023-2027), particularly in the areas of trade and investment, finance, agriculture, energy security, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), digital economy, tourism, connectivity, civil service matters, education, health, labour and environment especially climate change. The Meeting emphasised the need to accelerate efforts across all sectors and urged APT Member States to bring forward more concrete activities for implementation, particularly in the action lines that remain unaddressed.

6. The Meeting emphasised the need to further strengthen dialogue and cooperation in combating transnational crimes and enhancing border management through existing APT mechanisms, particularly the APT Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC+3) Consultation. The Meeting looked forward to the full and effective implementation of the APT Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC+3) Work Plan on Cooperation to Combat Transnational Crime (2024- 2027), as well as the ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of Ministries of Foreign Affairs Meeting (DGICM) Plus Three Work Programme (2023-2027), to promote practical collaboration in the areas of transnational crimes, immigration, and border management. The Meeting also reaffirmed its strong commitment to combating illicit drugs under the framework of the ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting on Drug Matters (ASOD+3) Consultation. The Meeting also underscored the need to strengthen cooperation to effectively combat the growing threats posed by cybercrime and online scams and promote cybersecurity cooperation within the APT framework.

7. The Meeting commended the implementation of the APT Economic Cooperation Work Programme 2023-2024 and acknowledged the positive outcomes achieved in key areas such as MSMEs development, private sector engagement and stakeholder dialogues, trade facilitation, the digital economy, and the green economy. The Meeting reiterated the importance of further strengthening economic relations among APT countries, with ASEAN playing a central role in keeping markets open and enhancing connectivity, resilience, and sustainability in regional logistics systems and supply chains as well as maintaining the flow of essential goods and services. The Meeting looked forward to the effective implementation of the APT Economic Cooperation Work Programme 2025-2026.

8. The Meeting welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on Responding to Global Economic and Trade Uncertainties during the ASEAN Summit on 26 May 2025, which reaffirmed ASEAN's unwavering commitment to upholding a predictable, transparent, inclusive, open, free, fair, sustainable and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. The Meeting further reaffirmed its resolve in providing meaningful impetus to respond to current trade challenges, taking advantage of available opportunities, and supporting the necessary reform of the WTO, in particular having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system. The Meeting also highlighted the urgency of deepening regional economic integration, advancing or upgrading free trade agreements with external partners and maximising the utilisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, reinforcing the robustness of supply chains, and advancing growth that is both sustainable and inclusive in light of escalating global challenges.

9. The Meeting welcomed the progress in the implementation of the RCEP Agreement and looked forward to its effective implementation in a transparent manner, to increase its utilisation by the private sector in the region, especially MSMEs, and its contribution to stronger and more resilient supply chains in the region. The Meeting welcomed the establishment and operationalisation of the RCEP Support Unit (RSU), which provides institutional support for the implementation of the RCEP Agreement.

10. The Meeting emphasised the need to strengthen APT collaboration to navigate the challenging global environment through stronger and more impactful cooperation, especially in the areas of sustainable development, inclusive economic transformation, digital transformation, supply chain connectivity, and pursuing cooperation in areas of mutual interest. In this regard, the Meeting commended the implementation of the ASEAN+3 Start-up Program for Promoting Sustainable Development.

11. The Meeting underscored the importance of the ASEAN+3 Finance Process in enhancing regional economic and financial stability. The Meeting welcomed the outcomes of the 28th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting held on 4 May 2025 that reaffirmed the importance of strengthening regional financial cooperation through the ASEAN+3 Finance Process, including through the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM), ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), Asian Bond Markets Initiative (ABMI), and Disaster Risk Financing Initiative (DRFI). The Meeting welcomed the amendment of the CMIM Agreement, which introduces the Rapid Financing Facility (RFF) with the incorporation of eligible freely usable currencies (FUC) as its currencies of choice under the CMIM. The Meeting also noted ongoing discussions on establishing a paid-in capital (PIC) structure. The Meeting welcomed the ASEAN+3 Fiscal Policy Exchange Initiative introduced in 2025 and looked forward to exploring the potential for it to serve as a regular discussion platform. The Meeting welcomed reviewing and updating the Strategic Directions of ASEAN+3 Finance Process adopted in 2019 to ensure the Finance Process remains relevant and responsive. The Meeting also commended the progress on the Structural Policy Improvement and Review Instrument with Technical Assistance (SPIRIT) as a pilot project to provide technical assistance for structural reforms. The Meeting acknowledged AMRO's continued efforts including the strengthening of its surveillance capacity to safeguard regional macroeconomic and financial stability. The Meeting recognized the growth of sustainable local currency bond issuance under the ABMI as well as the tangible progress made under the DRFI with support of multilateral partners - notably successful payouts by Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF) and welcomed the endorsement of the concept note that sets out the pillars for the 2026-2028 DRFI Roadmap. The Meeting also looked forward to the prospect of an APT Leaders' Statement on strengthening regional economic and financial cooperation, which is currently being discussed under the ASEAN+3 financial track.

12. The Meeting commended the progress made in implementing the APT Cooperation Strategy on Food, Agriculture and Forestry 2016-2025. It reaffirmed the commitment to ensuring resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems and encouraged APT cooperation in advancing food security efforts through policy coordination, promotion of agri-innovation, responsible investment in food systems in line with the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Food Security adopted in September 2023. The Meeting underscored the importance of effective implementation of the APT Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) and ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) in enhancing regional food reserves and strengthening supply chain connectivity to anticipate and mitigate future disruptions. The Meeting also emphasised the importance of promoting resilient and sustainable agriculture by advancing green and circular agricultural practices, harnessing digital technologies, and supporting efforts toward agricultural decarbonisation.

13. The Meeting noted the convening of the 21st ASEAN+3 Ministers on Energy Meeting, held on 27 September 2024 in Vientiane, which highlighted the vital role of regional energy interconnection in strengthening energy security and improving the efficiency of resource sharing. The Meeting reaffirmed its commitment to support ASEAN's efforts to accelerate the establishment of the ASEAN Power Grid by 2045, which include various power trading projects in the region such as the Laos-Thailand[1] Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project and Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia[1]Malaysia-Philippines Power Integration Project. The Meeting also encouraged the adoption and scaling up of innovative low carbon technologies, through various practical pathways tailored to national circumstances. This includes hydrogen and its derivatives such as ammonia, e-fuels and e-methane, and biofuels, small modular reactors, bioenergy, clean coal technology (CCT), and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) / carbon recycling, as critical elements in the region's transition to resilience and sustainable energy systems, as well as in achieving sustainable economic growth, energy security, and decarbonization simultaneously.

14. The Meeting commended the progress of the MPAC 2025, and the Plus Three countries' support for the implementation of the MPAC 2025, including on the Enhancement of ASEAN Tourism Digital Platforms, Diagnostic Tool to Assess MSMEs' Digital Readiness and ASEAN-ROK Technical and Vocational Education and Training Mobility Programme. The Meeting encouraged continued efforts to explore potential collaboration and further develop practical projects, building on previous successes to strengthen connectivity cooperation and advance initiatives under MPAC 2025 and the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan. The Meeting noted the adoption of the APT Leaders' Statement on Strengthening the Connectivity of Regional Supply Chains at the 27th APT Summit last year and looked forward to its effective implementation.

15. The Meeting commended the continued efforts of APT in advancing the digital transformation agenda. The Meeting acknowledged the importance of focusing on enhancing APT's capacity to facilitate flows of data across borders, enhance digital connectivity, and strengthen consumer and business trust in the digital economy. The Meeting welcomed the APT's support for negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which will be concluded later this year and accelerate the region's digital transformation. The Meeting acknowledged the continued support of APT on the ASEAN Digital Integration Framework Action Plan (DIFAP) 2019-2025 through the mid-term report on the APT research project for narrowing the digital divide in MSMEs, as well as its robust backing of the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2025 through capacity-building initiatives on digital technologies. The Meeting looked forward to sustaining this momentum in the upcoming ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2030.

16. The Meeting commended the APT's continued commitment to strengthening cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI) for the region. The Meeting noted the completion of STI initiatives under APT, which includes the ASEAN+3 Centre for the Gifted in Science; ASEAN+3 Student Camp and ASEAN+3 Teacher Workshop for the Gifted in Science; ASEAN+3 Junior Science Odyssey; and ASEAN+3 Young Scientists Forum. The Meeting valued the collective commitment among APT countries to driving excellence in science and reaffirmed the intention to work with all parties.

17. The Meeting emphasised the importance of cultural, sports and tourism exchanges and people-to-people links to heighten awareness and foster intercultural understanding and ASEAN identity in the region. In this regard, the Meeting called for strengthened collaboration to encourage the effective implementation of projects proposed under the ASEAN Plus Three Work Plan on Cooperation in Culture and the Arts (2022-2025) and ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan (2021- 2025). The Meeting noted the convening of the 24th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers (M-ATM) Plus Three on 19 January 2025 in Johor, Malaysia, which encouraged the APT National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) to actively engage with relevant stakeholders, including those from the private sector, to bolster the development of a more robust and resilient tourism sector in the APT region, as well as to continue sharing information and best practices to drive the development of sustainable tourism forward, and ensuring collective growth and prosperity.

18. The Meeting commended the efforts of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), and ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) in promoting trade, investment, culture, tourism, media, and people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN and the Plus Three countries. The Meeting also welcomed the regular consultation meetings among the three Centres and encouraged them to strengthen linkages and collaboration. The Meeting further called on the Centres to continue facilitating trade and economic cooperation among ASEAN Plus Three countries through joint or individual initiatives.

19. The Meeting also encouraged greater collaboration to leverage digital transformation for the media and information sector under the newly extended Work Plan on Enhancing APT Cooperation through Information and Media (2018-2025).

20. The Meeting acknowledged the commitment to Strengthen ASEAN Health Security through Digital Innovations for Cross-Border Health Emergencies in the New Context Post Pandemic. This commitment builds on the key areas of cooperation outlined in the Joint Statement of the 10th APT Health Ministers Meeting held in August 2024. These efforts are aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Strategic Plan. The Meeting also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration to improve the capacity of ASEAN Member States and the Plus Three Countries to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to public health threats. In this regard, it reiterated support for the establishment and operationalization of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED) as a center of excellence and regional resource hub for public health emergency preparedness.

21. The Meeting noted the multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaborative activities, including the cooperation by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)'s expert and a project being coordinated through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), to be undertaken in promoting healthy and active ageing as complemented by the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI). The Meeting also noted the efforts to strengthen the healthcare and welfare systems in addressing ageing-related challenges and in achieving universal health coverage under the Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative, including the Healthy Aging Prize for Asian Innovation (HAPI) and ASEAN and Japan High-Level Officials Meeting on Caring Societies.

22. The Meeting reaffirmed the commitment to promoting and supporting sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development across the ASEAN community, including the protection and mainstreaming of the rights of persons with disabilities through developing accessible services to health and rehabilitation, education, employment, social protection, and digital inclusion, to accelerate ASEAN disability-inclusive development.

23. The Meeting reaffirmed ASEAN and the Plus Three countries' strong commitment to promoting social welfare and development cooperation, through the programmatic implementation of key ASEAN declarations and regional frameworks, including the (i) Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection in ASEAN; (ii) Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Ageing: Empowering Older Persons in ASEAN; (iii) ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (iv) ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework; (v) Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration on the Importance of the Family Community Development and Nation-Building, (vi) Declaration on Gender Equality and Family Development, (vii) ASEAN Declaration on Disability Inclusive Development and Partnership for a Resilient ASEAN Community, and (viii) Roadmap to Implement the Ha Noi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work Towards a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community, among others.

24. The Meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the APT to explore and carry out concrete actions to strengthen the partnership between ASEAN and Plus Three countries on social welfare and development through the Senior Officials' Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), including through cooperation with the ASEAN Training Centre for Social Work and Social Welfare (ATCSW), ASEAN Social Work Consortium (ASWC) and Network of Experts on Inclusive Entrepreneurship for ASEAN (NIEA) to respond to the impacts of emerging global trends, including digitalisation, demographic shifts, and climate change, among others, with enhanced engagement of women, children, people with disabilities, older persons, and people in vulnerable situations.

25. The Meeting commended the commitment of APT for continuously promoting the rights and welfare of older persons through the successful convening of the ASEAN Plus Three International Forum on Response to Ageing held on 5-7 November 2024 in Beijing, China. The Meeting looked forward to APT's strengthened cooperation in keeping the momentum on advancing older persons' rights and empowerment with the outcomes of the ASEAN+ROK Conference on Care and Support for Older Persons convened on 30 June-1 July 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

26. The Meeting reiterated the APT's commitment to advancing cooperation in promoting sustainable, inclusive and innovative development, as well as in strengthening cooperation with all stakeholders, including the private sector, to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Meeting called for the development of collaborative projects to protect and conserve the environment and biodiversity, to promote sustainable use of natural resources including sustainable forest and water resource management, to address the adverse impact of climate change, and to address transboundary air pollution through the support for the establishment and the operationalization of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACCTHPC) and the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), in collaboration with other relevant ASEAN centres such as the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre.

27. The Meeting welcomed the continued contributions of the Plus Three countries in addressing marine debris, particularly through the APT Marine Plastic Debris Cooperative Action Initiative and their support for the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Member States 2021- 2025. The Meeting also acknowledged the valuable activities of the Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, under the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), in tackling the issue. Furthermore, the Meeting recognised collective efforts in promoting sustainable consumption and production as part of broader environmental sustainability goals.

28. The Meeting reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation in rural development and poverty alleviation as a key component of sustainable development. It looked forward to exploring further support for the strategic implementation of rural transformation and the sustainable development agenda through initiatives such as infrastructure and human resource development, capacity-building programmes, including the ASEAN+3 Village Leaders Exchange Programme, and technical exchange activities. These efforts are guided by the ASEAN Framework Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication 2021-2025, ASEAN Master Plan on Rural Development 2022-2026, ASEAN Villages Network (AVN) Framework, and regional mechanism of the Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) Plus Three.

29. The Meeting reaffirmed the commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of people in vulnerable situations, achieving gender equality, and the empowerment of women. The Meeting commended the continued efforts of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of The Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) to forge ahead with the implementation of the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework (AGMSF) 2021-2025 and its Implementation Plan across the three ASEAN Community pillars. In accelerating the implementation of the AGMSF, the Meeting acknowledged with appreciation the Policy Recommendations on Integrating Gender Mainstreaming in ASEAN that was noted by the ASEAN Leaders during the 43rd ASEAN Summit. In the context of the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to promote the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

30. The Meeting reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining sustainable peace in the region, including through the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action (RPA) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). The Meeting looked forward to the convening of the 2nd ASEAN Summit on WPS, scheduled for September 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which is expected to serve as a strategic platform for ASEAN and its partners to celebrate progress in advancing the WPS agenda and to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping efforts. The Meeting also expressed support for continued cooperation in capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering women within the WPS framework.

31. The Meeting recognised APT's continued commitment to enhancing educational cooperation, and underscored education's critical role in human resource development and in fostering social and economic well-being. The Meeting encouraged the further strengthening of cooperation within the CAMPUS Asia Plus Program - a collaborative initiative among APT countries - while also noting other relevant initiatives such as Chinese Government Scholarship, MEXT scholarship, ASIA KAKEHASHI Project+ (Plus), and Sakura Science Exchange Program, ASEAN China-Young Leaders Scholarship (ACYLS) programme, Higher Education for ASEAN Talents (HEAT) Scholarships, ROK TVET Mobility Programme, and JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan, among others. Additionally, the Meeting encouraged the APT to deepen digital education cooperation, explore the sharing of digital education resources, and strengthen the digital construction of the CAMPUS Asia programme, so as to promote the digital transformation of global education.

32. The Meeting commended the successful convening of the ASEAN Plus Three Seminar on East Asian Studies at Universities and ASEAN Plus Three Student Camp on 9-11 September 2024 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, which fostered knowledge sharing and cultural exchange among young scholars and students from the region. The Seminar played an instrumental role in enhancing collaboration in research and development among universities and research agencies, with a focused aim of advancing East Asian studies in the region. The Meeting reaffirmed the APT's commitment to furthering cooperative efforts in research and education to drive continuous progress in the field.

33. The Meeting commended the longstanding efforts of the APT Senior Officials' Meeting on Youth and relevant ASEAN entities to provide greater access for youth in APT countries to participate and remain engaged in the ASEAN Community-building and people-to-people exchange, through various annual youth exchanges, capacity building, and community immersion programmes, such as China-ASEAN Youth Campus and the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP). The Meeting noted that the Ninth APT Ministerial Meeting on Youth on 30 November 2024 underscored the commitment to facilitating APT initiatives on youth for fostering mutual understanding, a sense of commonality and a stronger community spirit among APT youth, enhancing their physical and mental well-being and promoting their skills development in the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution under APT Work Plan on Youth (2021-2025) and heightening more comprehensive partnership as well as the development of the new post-2025 Work Plan on Youth.

34. The Meeting commended the steady progress of implementation of the APT Cooperation on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM+3) Work Plan (2021-2025) including the workshop on Work Engagement and Well-being in Public Service in October 2024. The Meeting looked forward to the active engagement of the APT countries in the development of the ACCSM+3 Work Plan (2026-2030) and encouraged closer APT cooperation in raising the standards of civil service in the ASEAN region in areas of mutual interests including e-governance, human resource management and human resource development, productivity in the public sector, good governance, public sector reform, local administrative capacity building and cooperation, and research and innovation, and other areas of mutual interests.

35. The Meeting commended the strengthening of the APT cooperation in the labour sector through the continued implementation of the first APT Senior Labour Officials' Meeting (SLOM+3) Work Plan (2021-2025). This was achieved through practical activities and projects in key areas such as human resource development, inclusive growth, sustainable development in response to ASEAN economic integration, social dialogue, occupational safety and health, and social protection. The Meeting noted that the 13th APT Labour Ministers' Meeting (13th ALMM+3), held on 31 October 2024 in Singapore, reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening resilience and fostering innovation to help ASEAN Member States adapt to the impacts of technological advancements, digitalisation, the green economy, demographic shifts, labour migration, and changes in global supply chains. The Meeting agreed to enhance cooperation among the APT countries to promote the well-being of workers and strengthen their resilience in the future of work. The Meeting also took note of the ongoing development of the APT SLOM+3 Work Plan (2026-2030), which will guide labour cooperation over the next five years and is expected to be noted at the 47th ASEAN Summit later this year.

36. The Meeting encouraged the strengthening of cooperation on disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance to enhance disaster resilience in the region particularly through the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme (2021-2025), ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Sustainable Resilience, and other relevant ASEAN declarations. The Meeting also commended the ongoing development of the AADMER Work Programme 2026-2030. This includes promoting the exchange of information, best practices, and experiences in disaster management, as well as strengthening ASEAN's capacity in disaster risk assessment and monitoring, prevention and mitigation, and response and recovery. The Meeting also highlighted the importance of enhancing the capacity of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) to support these efforts.

37. The Meeting acknowledged the important contribution of the East Asia Forum (EAF) as a Track 1.5 level platform for government, business, academia, and think tanks to further deepen East Asia cooperation. The Meeting also recognised the important contributions of the Network of East Asia Think-Tanks (NEAT) towards APT cooperation and looked forward to the outcomes of NEAT to be submitted to the 28th APT Summit in October 2025, for notation.

Regional and International Issues

11th Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting, 22 March 2025, Tokyo, Japan

38. ASEAN welcomed the positive outcomes of the 11th Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on 22 March 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. The Meeting recognised that the strengthening of trilateral cooperation among Japan, China, and the ROK presents valuable opportunities to complement ASEAN-led mechanisms. In this regard, the Meeting looked forward to fostering closer collaboration through APT frameworks, including in areas of people-to-people exchanges, public health, and aging society, green and digital economy, sustainable development and disaster management.

Myanmar

39. The Meeting welcomed the contributions in the provision of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, particularly through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre).

Korean Peninsula

40. The Meeting expressed concern over the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula and stressed the importance of resuming peaceful dialogue among all concerned parties in order to realise lasting peace and stability in a denuclearised Korean Peninsula. The Meeting expressed grave concern over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) intercontinental ballistic missile testing and ballistic missile launches and the increased tension in the Korean Peninsula which are a worrisome development that threatens peace and stability in the region. The Meeting called on the DPRK to comply fully with all relevant UNSC Resolutions and called for peaceful dialogue among the concerned parties, and continue working towards the realisation of lasting peace, and stability in a denuclearised Korean Peninsula. The Meeting called for the full implementation of all relevant UNSC Resolutions and noted international efforts to bring about the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. Diplomatic efforts, including the creation of a conducive environment for peaceful dialogue among all concerned parties should remain a priority. The Meeting reiterated its readiness to play a constructive role, including through utilising ASEAN-led platforms such as the ARF in promoting a conducive atmosphere for peaceful dialogue amongst the concerned parties. Some Ministers also emphasised the importance of addressing issues of humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the immediate resolution of the abductions and detainees' issues.

Other matters

41. The Meeting discussed the preparations for the 28th APT Summit to be held on 27 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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