ASEAN DECLARATION ON THE 13TH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC) AND THE 3RD SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES SERVING AS THE MEETING OF THE PARTIES (CMP) TO THE KYOTO PROTOCOL

WE, the Heads of State/Government of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Member Countries of ASEAN, on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN and the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore;

Recalling the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II, 7 October 2003) and the ASEAN Vision 2020 that envision a clean and green ASEAN with fully established mechanisms for sustainable development to ensure the protection of the region's environment, the sustainability of its natural resources, and the high quality of life of its peoples;

Recognising that climate change poses a serious threat to the achievement of sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);

Deeply concerned that the adverse impacts of climate change, including the threat of serious and irreversible damage, will affect all humanity, particularly the poor and vulnerable people, in the developing countries;

Taking into account the scientific findings contained in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which can be used as a solid foundation for international action;

Underlining the ultimate objective and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol;

Acknowledging that climate change poses serious risks and challenges particularly to developing countries, and therefore demands urgent global actions and responses, on the basis of the principles of equity, flexibility, effectiveness and common but differentiated responsibilities, respective capabilities, as well as reflecting on different social and economic conditions;

Recognising that ASEAN has a crucial role in shaping and forging cooperation among its members and partners including in mobilizing international support to ensure the successful outcomes of the 13th Session of the Conference of 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 in Bali, Indonesia on 3-14 December 2007;

Reaffirming that economic and social development, including poverty eradication and environmental protection, are principal priorities of developing countries, and that fossil fuels underpin our economies and that these, along with alternative fuel sources such as civilian nuclear energy, will be a reality of our lifetime, any action to mitigate climate change should be in a manner that complements and enhances sustainable development and sustained economic growth in the developing countries;

Do hereby declare to:

1. Reaffirm our resolve to achieve the objectives of sustainable development and implement our relevant commitments to address climate change, based on our respective capabilities, and in accordance with the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol with the aim of stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations;

2. 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, with a view to avoid the gap between the first and second commitment periods;

3. Urge the Annex-I Parties to the UNFCCC to continue taking the lead in substantially reducing their emissions, given their historic responsibility, economic strength and capabilities, while noting that climate change requires a global solution and that all countries should do their part based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities;

4. Also urge the Annex-I Parties to the UNFCCC to further implement their commitments in the provision of financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building, in accordance with the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol;

5. Work through bilateral, regional and global partnership to promote the development and transfer of low carbon technologies including cleaner and climate friendly technologies;

6. Work with international financial and development cooperation institutions to encourage innovative financing options to stimulate investment in climate-friendly technology and development;

7. Underline the importance of the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol as an essential instrument to accelerate the development, deployment and investment in climate-friendly technology while also assisting in achieving sustainable development objectives;

8. Further underline the importance of adaptation and call on all countries to incorporate climate change impact and adaptation strategies into their national development strategies and policies, and for the early operationalisation of the Adaptation Fund in accordance with Decision 5 of the Conference of Parties Serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol at its Second Session in Nairobi on 6 - 17 November 2006;

9. Agree to enhance cooperation and collaboration among ASEAN Member Countries to support the implementation of this Declaration and task the relevant ASEAN ministerial and sectoral bodies dealing with climate change to carry on the cooperation in implementing the objective of this Declaration; and

10. Commit to actively and constructively participate in ensuring a successful outcome of the negotiation on a comprehensive agreement at the 13th Session of the Conference of Parties 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.

Done in Singapore, this Twentieth Day of November in the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

For Brunei Darussalam:

HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH
Sultan of Brunei Darussalam

For the Kingdom of Cambodia:

SAMDECH HUN SEN
Prime Minister

For the Republic of Indonesia:

DR. SUSILO BAMBANG YUDHOYONO
President

For the Lao People's Democratic Republic:

BOUASONE BOUPHAVANH
Prime Minister

For Malaysia:

DATO' SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI
Prime Minister

For the Union of Myanmar:

GENERAL THEIN SEIN
Prime Minister

For the Republic of the Philippines:

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President

For the Republic of Singapore:

LEE HSIEN LOONG
Prime Minister

For the Kingdom of Thailand:

GENERAL SURAYUD CHULANONT (RET.)
Prime Minister

For the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam:

NGUYEN TAN DUNG
Prime Minister

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