7th EAS: Delivering Together in Australia
The 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held in Sydney, Australia, on September 2, 2007. It was a landmark event, marking the first time the EAS was held in the Southern Hemisphere. The summit brought together leaders from 16 East Asian countries, including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the ASEAN countries, as well as the United States and Russia.
Key Themes of the Summit:
The 7th EAS focused on a range of critical issues facing the region, including:
- Economic cooperation: Strengthening regional economic integration and promoting sustainable development.
- Energy security: Addressing challenges related to energy supply and demand, and promoting clean energy solutions.
- Climate change: Collaborating on mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts.
- Disaster management: Enhancing regional cooperation in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
- Non-proliferation and counter-terrorism: Promoting regional security and stability through joint efforts.
Delivering Together: A Commitment to Regional Cooperation
The summit's theme, "Delivering Together," emphasized the importance of collective action and shared responsibility in tackling regional challenges. This theme reflected the growing recognition that regional cooperation was essential for achieving sustainable development and security in East Asia.
Key Outcomes of the Summit:
The 7th EAS saw several key outcomes, including:
- The adoption of the "Sydney Declaration": This document outlined the EAS's commitment to promoting regional cooperation and addressing common challenges.
- The launch of the "East Asia Summit Counter-Terrorism Action Plan": This plan aimed to strengthen regional cooperation in combating terrorism.
- The establishment of the "East Asia Summit Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Mechanism": This mechanism was designed to enhance coordination and response efforts in the event of natural disasters.
Legacy and Impact of the 7th EAS:
The 7th EAS was a significant milestone in the development of the EAS as a forum for regional cooperation. It demonstrated the increasing commitment of East Asian countries to working together to address shared challenges. The summit also helped to raise the profile of the EAS on the global stage, further solidifying its role as a key regional institution.
The outcomes of the 7th EAS continue to have a lasting impact on the region, shaping regional policies and initiatives in areas such as economic cooperation, energy security, and disaster management. The summit's focus on collective action and shared responsibility remains a crucial guiding principle for regional collaboration in East Asia.
