Phnom Penh, 24 November 2021 (TDI): Thirteenth Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM13) will take place tomorrow. The Summit is a virtual two days event.
This time, Cambodia will host the Summit, streaming live from its capital. Currently, Cambodia holds the rotatory Presidency of ASEM.
Tomorrow’s meeting marks the 25th anniversary of the ASEM. Leaders of European and Asian member states will be attending the meeting. Additionally, leaders of ASEAN and the EU secretariat will be also present at the virtual meeting.
Representatives from EU at the Summit
The President of the EU Council and the EU Commission Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen respectively will represent the EU tomorrow. Rotating EU Council Presidency will be represented by Janez Janša, the Prime Minister of Slovenia.
Additionally, Josep Borrell the High Representative for Security Policy and Foreign Affairs will also attend the meeting.
The Theme of the ASEM13
This year the theme of ASEM is “strengthening multilateralism for shared growth”.
The leader at the Summit will deliberate and discuss the following issues:
- rule-based international order and multilateralism
- Covid-19, socio-economic recovery and health
- women security and peace
- sustainable growth and development.
- Climate Change
- regional issues
- connectivity
About ASEM
ASEM is the informal platform between Asia and Europe. It contains 53 members states, 30 from Europe and 21 from Asia. It also includes the secretariats of the EU and ASEAN. Thus, in this regard, ASEM Summit is considered the second largest gathering of global leaders, after the UNGA. It is a platform to discuss issues of common interests among member states.
Significance of ASEM
ASEM as a platform comprises 60% of global trade and 65% of global GDP. It also makes up 75% of global tourism and 60% of the world’s population. Hence, EU Council is preparing for this Summit since October. In this regard, EU Council also discussed the EU’s strategy for Indo-Pacific and called for its “swift implementation.”
It is to be noted that the EU gave out its Indo-Pacific Strategy in April.
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