On 2 August 2019, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, chaired the 9^th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting during the 52^nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM)/ Post Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) held in Bangkok. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States, Australia, the People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States of America. 

          The Meeting underscored the importance of EAS as a premier Leaders-led forum to discuss regional strategic issues, including non-traditional security challenges such as transnational crimes, counter-terrorism, human trafficking and disaster management. The Ministers exchanged views on current developments on the Korean Peninsula, the situation in the Rakhine State, and South China Sea, and welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. 

          On political and security matters, the Meeting discussed efforts to tackle illicit drugs and violent extremism and ways to enhance cooperation on maritime security. On economic cooperation, the Meeting discussed partnership for sustainability, the realization of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, responsible fishery management, and upholding a multilateral trading system, including the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year. With regard to the socio-cultural pillar, the Meeting discussed cooperation in combating pandemics and marine debris, as well as measures to cope with climate change. 

In addition, the Meeting endorsed the Progress Report on the Implementation of the Manila Plan of Action to Advance the Phnom Penh Declaration on the East Asia Summit Development Initiative 2018 – 2022, and discussed preparations for the 22^nd East Asia Summit in November. 

EAS is an ASEAN-led forum for strategic dialogue inaugurated in 1999. Its implementation is currently guided by the Manila Plan of Action to Advance the Phnom Penh Declaration on the East Asia Summit Development Initiative 2018 – 2022. 

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