Chairman's Statement of the 3rd ASEAN-Russia Summit Singapore, 14 November 2018

1. The 3^rd ASEAN-Russia Summit was held in Singapore on 14 November 2018. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore. The Meeting was attended by all Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States and H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance.

2. We noted the progress made over the last 22 years in ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations across a wide range of areas, including through the implementation of the Sochi Declaration of the ASEAN-Russian Federation Commemorative Summit to Mark the 20^th Anniversary of ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Partnership “Moving Towards a Strategic Partnership for Mutual Benefit”, adopted in Sochi, Russia on 20 May 2016.

3. We adopted the Joint Statement of the 3^rd ASEAN-Russian Federation Summit on Strategic Partnership and agreed to the elevation of ASEAN-Russia relations to a Strategic Partnership. We also adopted the Statement of ASEAN and the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the Field of Security of and in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

4. We welcomed the signing of the MOU between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), which lays the groundwork for enhanced economic cooperation and the development of new areas of cooperation between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

5. ASEAN Leaders appreciated Russia’s continued support for ASEAN Centrality and Russia’s active participation in various ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). We acknowledged the importance of promoting further partnership between ASEAN and other multilateral organisations and fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

6. We agreed to strengthen cooperation in addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges, such as international terrorism, transnational crime, threats and challenges arising from the use of ICTs, as well as in countering the illegal production and trafficking of drugs, through capacity-building programmes and sharing of experiences.

7. We encouraged both sides to implement the ASEAN-Russia Trade and Investment Cooperation Roadmap, with a view to intensifying trade and investment ties. We reaffirmed our resolve to maintain an open, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system as an important driver for sustainable economic growth and development amidst emerging global challenges. We encouraged further discussions in exploring practical cooperation between ASEAN and EAEU. We noted the importance of promoting the activities of the ASEAN-Russia Business Council and organising regular business missions.

8. We encouraged both sides to deepen collaboration in energy efficiency, energy accessibility, affordability and sustainability, through the implementation of the ASEAN-Russia Energy Cooperation Work Plan 2016-2020. We reaffirmed the importance of enhancing digital connectivity, in parallel with the implementation of the ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2020, and strengthened cooperation in science, technology and innovation, including through the implementation of the ASEAN-Russian Federation Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation 2016-2025, and the ASEAN Declaration on Innovation for innovation-driven growth. We encouraged the full implementation of the ASEAN-Russia Agriculture and Food Security Cooperation Work Programme 2016-2020. We also underscored the importance of enhancing connectivity and encouraged Russia’s support for the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration Work Plan III.

9. We noted that the Network of ASEAN-Russia Think Tanks (NARTT) held its inaugural meeting from 20 to 21 April 2018. We further noted the work of the ASEAN Centre in Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University in facilitating promotional activities to develop people-to-people ties, academic, youth and cultural exchanges. We also agreed to further promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, including through youth exchanges in the fields of language, media, culture, arts and heritage, and looked forward to the 5^th ASEAN-Russia Youth Summit, to be held in the Philippines in 2019. We also noted that tourism can further enhance mutual understanding between ASEAN and Russia. We also looked forward to strengthening cooperation in education, including by expanding professional training programmes and academic exchanges, as well as promoting vocational training programmes.

10. We agreed to promote environmental cooperation, including in biodiversity conservation, marine environmental protection, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. We encouraged cooperation to enhance ASEAN’s preparedness and capacity in responding to communicable diseases and emerging infectious diseases including those with epidemic and pandemic potential, and other health threats. 

11. We reaffirmed our commitment to establish stronger, deeper, and mutually beneficial relations, continue to promote sustainable development and social progress, and build a peaceful, stable, prosperous and integrated region.

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