Ministers responsible for the environment from ASEAN Member Countries attending the UN Climate Change Conference 2007 in Bali met on 13th December 2007 to discuss ASEAN’s efforts to address climate change, and in particular to contribute towards the successful conclusion of the Bali Roadmap as a key outcome of the current UNFCCC negotiations.

The Ministers were guided by the ASEAN Heads of State/Government who adopted energy, environment, climate change and sustainable development as the theme for their 13th ASEAN Summit held in Singapore in November, 2007. In particular, the Leaders issued three Declarations on this theme, namely the ASEAN Declaration on the 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC and the 3rd Session of the Conference of the Parties Serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP) to the Kyoto Protocol, the ASEAN Declaration on Environmental Sustainability, and the Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment, the latter together with their counterparts from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and Republic of Korea (Third East Asia Summit). The three Declarations are annexed herewith.

The Leaders recognised that climate change poses serious risks and challenges to developing countries, and called for urgent global actions and responses to address climate change, on the basis of the principles of equity, flexibility, effectiveness and common but differentiated responsibilities, respective capacities, as well as reflecting on different social and economic conditions. The Leaders resolved to work closely to pave the way for establishing an effective, fair, flexible and comprehensive multilateral arrangement, in addressing climate change beyond 2012 taking into account common but differentiated responsibilities.

Recognising that the ASEAN region is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, the Leaders agreed to encourage the efforts to develop an ASEAN Climate Change Initiative (ACCI). ACCI is envisaged to be a consultative platform to further strengthen regional coordination and cooperation in addressing climate change, and to undertake concrete actions to respond to its adverse impacts. This Initiative will strengthen the region’s capacity both in mitigation and adaptation efforts, and in particular to bring forward the region’s interests and priorities onto international negotiations on future climate regime as appropriate.

The Ministers also commended the Government of Indonesia for its significant and valuable contribution in hosting the UNFCCC COP-13/CMP-3, and particularly for its untiring efforts in forging common understanding towards a comprehensive and effective climate change regime. The Ministers resolved to continue to play an active role in the future processes of the climate change negotiations and to address the impacts of climate change.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

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