10th East Asia Forum Focuses on Rural Development

This year’s theme of the 10th East Asia Forum, “Narrowing the Development Gap in Rural and Urban Communities: Sharing Lessons and Experiences among Us,” was not only the main message, but also the common thread among three group discussions that focused on issues surrounding the acceleration of Rural Development.

The Forum, first established in 2003 in Seoul, has become an important track 1.5 platform for the ASEAN Plus Three countries to discuss theme-based issues of common concern in the region and promote cooperation, based on existing mechanisms and initiatives.  In this year’s Forum, participants shared experiences and best practices in rural development in their country and agreed that developing the rural areas would contribute to narrowing the development gap which is vital in realising the ASEAN Community by 2015.

Around 90 representatives, including government officials, members of the academia and representatives from the business sector from the ASEAN Member States and from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat attended the 10th East Asia Forum held in Nay Pyi Taw on 15-17 August 2012.

Please click here to see the statement by DSG Nyan Lynn