1. The 12th Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM) was held on 4 – 5 November 2008 in Kuala Lumpur. It was chaired by Datuk Mahmood bin Adam, Director-General of Immigration, Malaysia, and was attended by the Directors-General of Immigration and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the ASEAN Member States and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat.

2. The Meeting reviewed the progress on the realization of the Work Programme to implement the ASEAN Plan of Action on Immigration Matters adopted in 2002. In this regard, the Meeting noted the updates on implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption, development of the Comprehensive Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism, the ASEAN – EC Border management and Document Security Programme.

3. The Meeting also noted the report of the 4th ASEAN Immigration Intelligence Forum (AIIF) held back-to-back with the 12th DGICM. The Meeting commended the important role of AIIF in gathering immigration intelligence information among ASEAN Member States.

4. The 12th DGICM also noted with satisfaction the outcomes of the Ad-Hoc Technical Working Group on the Implementation of Guidelines for Provision of Emergency Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Country to Nationals of ASEAN Member States in Crisis Situation (ATWG) which was held from 30 June to 1 July 2008 in Jakarta.

5. Delegations from the ASEAN Member States shared their experiences and recent developments achieved in relation to the security of travel documents.

6. The Meeting reiterated the need for strengthening collaboration and cooperation on immigration – related issues with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, regional and international organizations. The Meeting agreed to hold the 4th ASEAN DGICM + Australia Consultation, which would be held on 5 November 2008 in Kuala Lumpur to review and further discuss possible areas of cooperation.

7. The Meeting requested the Philippines to host the 13th DGICM in 2009. The date and venue would be consulted among ASEAN Member States in due course.

8. The Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN solidarity and cordiality. The Meeting expressed gratitude to the warm hospitality accorded by the people and the Government of Malaysia.