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ASEAN Regional Forum
ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF)
ARF Membership: 27 States – Australia, Bangla- gress on the U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive
desh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China, Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Democratic On 16 March, the ARF held a Disaster Relief Exer-
Peoples’ Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, cise (DiREx) focused on conducting mock relief ex-
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, New Zealand, ercises combining over 3,000 participants from 23
Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russian nations and the EU. The event, planned prior to the
Federation, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor situation at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant, was
Leste, United States, and Vietnam. viewed as timely and integral to enhancing ARF co-
History: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations operation and effectiveness in responding to disas-
(ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967 in ters.
Bangkok by the five original member countries: In- On 6-8 April, the ARF held a Defense Officials’ Dia-
donesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thai- logue/ARF Intersessional Support Group Meeting on
land. Brunei Darussalam joined on 8 January 1984, Confidence Building Measures and Preventative Di-
Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Laos and Myanmar on 23 plomacy.
July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999.
On 29-31 May, the ARF held the 9th Intersessional
In 1992, the ASEAN Heads of State and Government Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational
declared that ASEAN should intensify its external Crime. The meetings focused on assessing the trends
dialogues in political and security matters as a means of terrorism and transnational crime within the re-
of building cooperative ties with States in the Asia- gion, a review of ARF decisions aimed to counter the
Pacific region. Two years later, the ASEAN Regional trends, as well as discussion on future plans to meet
Forum (ARF) was established. again in the future.
The ARF was designed to foster constructive dia- From 6-11 June, the ARF held its 8th Security Policy
logue and consultation on political and security issues Conference, which included the Defense Officials’
of common interest and concern and make significant Dialogue and Senior Officials’ Meeting. During the
contributions to efforts towards confidence-building meetings, officials exchanged views on current re-
and preventive diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. gional and international issues, the future of the ARF,
Through political dialogue and confidence-building, and activities for confidence building measures and
no tension has escalated into armed confrontation preventative diplomacy.
among ASEAN members since its establishment
more than three decades ago. 2010: On 5-7 July, the 2nd ARF Inter-Sessional Meet-
ing on Nonproliferation and Disarmament (ISM on
NPD) focusing on peaceful uses of nuclear energy,
Developments: was held in Singapore. The meeting was co-hosted by
the United States and China. All ARF member states
2011: On 23-24 February in Las Vegas, ARF hosted participated along with experts from the IAEA, the
its 3rd Inter-Sessional Meeting on Nonproliferation Malaysian Nuclear Agency (MNA), Nuclear Energy
and Disarmament (ISM on NPD) with a focus on Regulatory Agency of Indonesia (BAPETEN), Japan
disarmament. U.S Assistant Secretary Rose Gotte- Nuclear Energy Safety Organization (JNES), Prepar-
moeller from the Department of State’s Bureau of atory Commission to the Comprehensive Test-Ban-
Arms Control, Verification and Compliance called Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and French Atomic
for the commencement of negotiations on the Fissile Energy Agency (FAE) who briefed the participants.
Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) at the Conference The Co-Chair’s summary report noted that many
on Disarmament (CD). She encouraged ARF mem- states in the region are considering the expansion of
bers to contribute to starting the talks and stated that current nuclear power infrastructure and that it is the
the United States is increasing its bilateral and multi- responsibility of each state to develop strong legal
lateral engagement with technical aspects of the pro- and regulatory frameworks, robust safety cultures,
posed treaty. Gottemoeller also hoped to make pro- and public acceptance and international cooperation.
The summary reiterated the importance of nuclear
ARF-1
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safety, security and nonproliferation when consider- in pursuit of a comprehensive solution to the Iranian
ing nuclear power programs and reminded partici- nuclear issue.
pants of the role played by the IAEA.
2007: The 14th Meeting of the ARF was convened
On 23 July, in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, the 17th ARF meet- on 2 August in Manila, the Philippines. The Meeting
ing convened, chaired by H.E. Pham Gia Khiem, the was chaired by Dr. Alberto Romulo, Secretary of
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Af- Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. Sri Lanka was
fairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The welcomed as the 27th Participating State in the ARF.
Chairman’s statement reaffirmed support for com-
The Chairman’s statement contained the usual ex-
plete and verifiable denuclearization on the Korean
pressions of support from the foreign ministers for
Peninsula, called on Iran to take all the necessary
multilateral security regimes including the ARF; the
steps to comply with international obligations, and
IAEA; the Six-Party Talks; the 2002 Declaration on
underscored the importance of securing nuclear mate-
the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea; the
rials from terrorist groups.
UN Program of Action to Prevent, Combat, and
The statement also welcomed the adoption of the Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
second resolution by the 64th Session of the UN Gen- Weapons; the International Convention for the Sup-
eral Assembly on the SEANWFZ Treaty and the pression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, the 2005
submission of the Memorandum on Activities related amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protec-
to the Treaty at the 2010 NPT Review Conference. tion of Nuclear Material, UNSC resolution 1540; the
The statement also noted the continuing consultations NPT; the CTBT; the Conference on Disarmament
between ASEAN and nuclear-weapon states regard- and its efforts to negotiate an FMCT; and nuclear-
ing the protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty. weapons-free zones, particularly the zone in South-
east Asia.
2009: On July 1-3, The ARF held its 1st Inter-
sessional Meeting on Nonproliferation and Disarma- 2006: The 13th ARF convened at Kuala Lumpur, Ma-
ment (ISM on NPD) in Beijing, China, co-hosted by laysia on 28 July. Bangladesh formally joined the
Singapore and the United States. Plans to introduce ARF, bringing its membership to 26 states. Ministers
this meeting to the forum began in 2007. Participants welcomed the signing of the ASEAN-Canada Joint
discussed arms control, disarmament, nonprolifera- Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International
tion, and ARF’s role in these areas while specifically Terrorism, as well as the decision of France to accede
focusing on issues related to nonproliferation. to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of Southeast
Asia. They reiterated their continued support for the
The 16th Meeting of the ARF was convened in Phu-
important roles of the NPT and the IAEA in prevent-
ket, Thailand, on 23 July. The Chairman’s Statement
ing nuclear proliferation, and promoting both nuclear
noted that the Ministers of several countries con-
disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
demned the recent nuclear test and missile launches
Ministers called for the maintenance of existing mor-
by the DPRK. The Ministers also urged all member
atoria on nuclear testing as well as on the production
countries to fully implement the provisions of United
of fissile material for use in weapons. They reaf-
Nations Security Council Resolution 1874.
firmed the importance of internationally recognized
The Ministers also took note of efforts towards nu- nuclear-weapon-free zones and emphasized the need
clear disarmament, welcoming both the Joint Under- for continued consultations on the Protocol of the
standing for the START Follow-on Treaty between Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty,
American and Russian Presidents and the upcoming among nuclear weapons states and parties to the trea-
NPT Review Conference. ty.
2008: The 15th Meeting of the ARF convened on 24 Ministers strongly condemned the terrorist bombings
July in Singapore. The Meeting was chaired by Mr. in Mumbai on 11 July and stressed the need to bring
George Yeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Re- about a greater understanding between civilizations
public of Singapore. to prevent terrorism from being associated with a
specific religion or ethnic group. They further urged
The Chairman’s statement emphasized disaster man-
all states to sign and ratify the two most recent uni-
agement more than in previous years. The only sec-
versal instruments concerning nuclear terrorism—the
tions regarding WMD were statements of support for International Convention for the Suppression of Acts
the Six Party Talks toward the denuclearization of the of Nuclear Terrorism, and the Amendment to the
Korean Peninsula and for the meetings of the EU3+3
Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Mate-
rial. Ministers expressed their support for the work of
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the 1540 Committee and called on states to bring on nuclear testing and reaffirmed their support for
about full and effective implementation of the resolu- internationally recognized nuclear-weapons-free
tion. They welcomed the adoption of UN Security zones.
Council Resolution 1673 in this regard, which
2004: The 11th ARF convened in Jakarta, Indonesia
strengthened the resolve of the international commu-
on 2 July, and was chaired by H.E. Dr. N. Hassan
nity to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass
Wirajuda, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Repub-
destruction, particularly to non-state actors.
lic of Indonesia and attended by the Foreign Minis-
Most ministers expressed concern over the test-firing ters of all ARF countries as well as the ASEAN Sec-
of missiles by the DPRK on 5 July, stating that such retary-General. The ministers welcomed Pakistan’s
tests would have adverse effects on regional peace accession to the TAC and its formal joining of the
and stability. They noted the unanimous adoption of ARF, which brought its total membership to 24, and
UN Security Council Resolution 1695 on 15 July, as discussed the Bali Concord II issued at the Ninth
well as DPRK’s rejection of this resolution. They ASEAN Summit. They discussed the various security
urged the DPRK to re-establish the moratorium on challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, specifically
missile testing, and called on all parties to resume the addressing issues such as the situation on the Korean
Six-Party talks without preconditions. Other promi- Peninsula and the need to take steps towards its de-
nent agenda items included the situation in the Mid- nuclearization there, and commenting positively on
dle East—particularly the “indiscriminate and exces- the 23-26 June Six Party Talks in Beijing. Other re-
sive use of force” in the Occupied Palestinian Terri- gional concerns addressed included the transfer of
tories and in Lebanon; the recent developments in sovereignty and continued violence in Iraq.
Myanmar; and political processes and security condi-
The Ministers also addressed nonproliferation and
tions in Iraq.
disarmament issues, adopting a Statement on Non-
2005: The 12th ARF was held in Vientane, Laos on proliferation that was originally proposed by the U.S.
29 July. Timor Leste was inducted as the 25th mem- In it, they urged member States to work to prevent
ber of the ARF and parties reached a consensus deci- the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
sion to admit Bangladesh to the ARF at its 13th Min- their means of delivery and related materials, largely
isterial Meeting in Malaysia in 2006. Ministers reaf- through increased technical cooperation. The state-
firmed the importance of ARF as the main multilat- ment also encouraged participating countries to
eral political and security forum in the region. They strengthen their export control capabilities, and to
further expressed their commitment to counter terror- engage in collaboration and increased efforts to pre-
ism and transnational crime by endorsing the state- vent the illicit transport of nuclear, chemical, or bio-
ment on Information Sharing and Intelligence Ex- logical weapons.
change and Document Integrity and Security in En-
Ministers representing NPT member states also ex-
hancing Cooperation to Combat Terrorism and Other
pressed commitment to a successful 2005 NPT Re-
Transnational Crimes. Ministers expressed strong
view Conference, encouraged the maintenance of the
condemnation of the terrorist attacks in London and
current moratorium on the testing of nuclear weap-
Sharm-el-Sheikh, concern at the pace of democratiza-
ons, and reiterated support for international NWFZs,
tion in Myanmar, and approval of the reassertion of a
particularly noting the necessity of accession of the
sovereign Iraq. They welcomed the resumption of
NWS to the Protocol of the SEANWFZ Treaty. Re-
both the Six-Party talks and the inter-Korea dialogue.
garding small arms and light weapons, the Ministers
They declared that the proliferation of weapons of
encouraged all states in the region to work to prevent
mass destruction and their vehicles of delivery con-
their illicit trafficking to non-state actors.
tinued to pose a serious security challenge. To this
end, they urged all states to sign and conclude the The Ministers also adopted a Statement on Strength-
International Convention for the Suppression of Acts ening Transport Security Against International Ter-
of Nuclear Terrorism and to adopt the Comprehen- rorism, an action recommended at the Intersessional
sive Convention on International Terrorism to pro- Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational
vide for their early entry into force. They reiterated Crime, which was held on 30-31 March in Manila.
their continued support for the NPT in promoting
nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation as well as 2003: The 1st Inter-Sessional Meeting on Counter-
the peaceful use of nuclear energy. To this end, they Terrorism and Transnational Crime was held from
21-22 March in Karambunai, Sabah, Malaysia. The
agreed to undertake further efforts to strengthen
meeting was attended by representatives from Aus-
compliance with all provisions of the treaty. They
tralia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, the Europe-
also urged maintenance of the existing moratorium
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an Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Ma- comed the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic
laysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Missile Proliferation and encouraged increased ad-
Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. The agen- herence by ARF countries.
da focused on recent terrorist activities and counter-
2002: The 9th Meeting of the ARF was held in Ban-
terrorism efforts, as well as border security to manage
dar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on 31 July,
the movement of people, goods and documents. Rep-
and was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mo-
resentatives provided updates on measures taken to
hamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
curb terrorism in their countries, stressing the im-
Brunei Darussalam. At the meeting, the Ministers
portance of cooperation and intelligence sharing, and
expressed satisfaction with the ARF’s progress and
the need to assist developing countries in capacity
addressed administrative concerns before turning to
building and acquiring the necessary technology to
security-related issues. They discussed the impact of
prevent the movement of terrorists and their re-
11 September on the security environment and en-
sources. The creation of the Southeast Asia Regional
couraged accession to or ratification of relevant Con-
Center for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) was not-
ventions and Protocols relating to terrorism, commit-
ed.
ting to “strengthen bilateral, regional and internation-
The 10th ARF was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on al cooperation in combating terrorism.” The Minis-
18 June. Regarding the nuclear crisis on the Korean ters also noted consultations between ASEAN and
Peninsula, the Ministers urged the Democratic Re- the Nuclear Weapons States regarding the Protocol of
public of Korea (DPRK) to resume its cooperation the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-
with the IAEA and to reverse its decision to withdraw Free Zone (SEANWFZ), and reaffirmed their support
from the NPT. They supported the denuclearization for the P5 Joint Statement regarding Mongolia’s se-
of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner for the curity and nuclear-free status.
sake of durable peace and security in the region.
Regarding the proliferation of weapons of mass de-
They were of the view that the ARF has played a
struction, the Ministers recognized their threat to re-
useful and constructive role and agreed to support
gional security interests and stressed the importance
further efforts by the ARF Chair to help ease tensions
of multilateral cooperation in achieving arms control,
on the Peninsula.
disarmament and nonproliferation. The Ministers also
The Ministers reiterated their condemnation of terror- addressed the preparations for the 2005 Review Con-
ism and expressed their determination to take all nec- ference of the States Parties to the Non-Proliferation
essary steps in order to raise public awareness and Treaty (NPT), agreeing that the NPT is the “corner-
take effective action against terrorism. At the same stone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime”. In
time, they rejected any attempt to associate terrorism addition, they reiterated the importance of the exist-
with any religion, race, nationality, or ethnic group. ing moratorium on nuclear testing and addressed the
They stressed the importance of capacity building to status of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and
counter terrorism effectively. In this regard, they re- noted their hope that both the November 2002 Bio-
affirmed the importance of cooperation and coordina- logical and Toxin Weapons Convention Review Con-
tion within the framework established by the UN ference and the April/May 2003 Review Conference
Counter-Terrorism Committee to implement UN Se- of the Chemical Weapons Convention would see
curity Council Resolution 1373. progress. Concerning conventional weapons, the
Ministers affirmed the importance of efforts to im-
The Ministers recognized the growing danger posed
plement the UN Program of Action to Prevent, Com-
by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
bat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and
(WMD) and their means of delivery. They reaffirmed
Light Weapons in All its Aspects.
that the NPT remained the cornerstone of the nuclear
nonproliferation regime and the essential foundation The Ministers also addressed regional issues, such as
for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. They also the tension between India and Pakistan, the situation
stressed the need to promote the universalization of in Korea, and the current reconstruction efforts in
nonproliferation and disarmament agreements, in- Afghanistan.
cluding the IAEA Safeguards Agreement and its Ad-
2001: At the 8th Meeting of the ARF, held on 25 July
ditional Protocol, the Biological and Toxin Weapons
at Ha Noi, Vietnam and hosted by H.E. Mr. Nguyen
Convention, and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Dy Nien, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Socialist
In this regard, they expressed concerns about actions
Republic of Vietnam, the Ministers noted that the
which damage global nonproliferation efforts and
situation in Southeast Asia on the whole had been
undermine mutual trust and confidence. They wel-
peaceful and stable. They exchanged views on the
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recent developments in the South China Sea and wel- Aspects, which was held in New York from 9 to 20
comed the progress in the consultations between July and believed ARF participants, would promote
ASEAN and China to develop a Code of Conduct in the regional cooperation pursuant to the UN Program
the South China Sea. The Ministers encouraged self- of Action on that illicit trade. In this context, the
restraint by all countries concerned and the promo- Ministers noted the Australian proposal for an ARF
tion of CBMs in this area, and welcomed the com- Declaration on small arms.
mitment of the countries concerned to resolve dis-
2000: The 7th Meeting of the ARF was held in Bang-
putes by peaceful means in accordance with the rec-
kok on 27 July. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Su-
ognized principles of international law, including the
rin Pitsuwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Kingdom of Thailand. The Ministers welcomed the
(UNCLOS), as well as to ensure the freedom of navi-
participation for the first time of the Democratic Peo-
gation in the area.
ple’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the Seventh ARF
The Ministers welcomed the progress toward the Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok. With regard to the
implementation of the SEANWFZ as a contribution issue of membership, the Ministers reaffirmed the
to global efforts to curb the proliferation of nuclear decision taken at the Fifth ARF Meeting and agreed
weapons and noted with satisfaction the continued that with the current 23 participants, the focus should
progress made in the consultation between the State now be on consolidating the process of dialogue and
Parties to the SEANWFZ Treaty and the NWS re- cooperation among the present participants of the
garding the latter’s accession to the Protocol to the ARF.
Treaty. In this regard, the Ministers welcomed the
The Ministers noted with satisfaction the significant
progress made at the recent direct dialogue between
progress that the ARF had made in terms of enhanc-
the State Parties and the NWS held in Ha Noi in May
ing political and security dialogue and cooperation
and welcomed the P5 Joint Statement concerning
within the Asia-Pacific region. In the context of the
security assurances for Mongolia and support for the
circumstances prevailing in the region, they noted
nuclear-weapon free status of Mongolia.
that the ARF participants were able not only to en-
The Ministers discussed issues relating to prolifera- gage in a free-flowing and productive exchange of
tion of WMD and their means of delivery as well as views with a greater comfort level, but also to ad-
the implications of the missile defense systems. They dress, in a constructive manner, key political and
noted expressions of support for the NPT as the cor- security issues with bearing on regional peace and
nerstone of the global nonproliferation regime and stability, including new issues that have emerged as a
called on all States to sign and ratify the CTBT and to result of globalization.
accede to the NPT, as well as urged all States to
The Ministers emphasized the importance of CBMs
maintain existing moratoria on nuclear testing. They
to the overall ARF process and agreed that such ef-
also took note of the call made in the NPT Review
forts be intensified. They also welcomed the progress
Conference Final Document for the Conference on
in the implementation of the proposals in the overlap
Disarmament to agree on a program of work, to in-
between CBMs and PD as well as the continued ef-
clude the immediate commencement of negotiations
forts to develop concepts and principles of PD appli-
on the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT). The
cable to the ARF context. In this regard, the Ministers
Ministers further emphasized the importance of sys-
agreed that these developments had enhanced the
tematic and progressive efforts by NWS on nuclear
continuity and relevance of the ARF process.
disarmament and called on all States to work towards
the objective of total elimination of nuclear weapons. The Ministers discussed matters related to the prolif-
They also expressed their hope that the Protocol eration of WMD and their means of delivery, as well
strengthening the BTWC would be finalized before as the implications of ballistic missile defense sys-
the Fifth BTWC Review Conference and urged all tems. They supported the NPT and in this regard,
countries to speedily conclude their negotiations on they noted the outcome of the NPT Review Confer-
the Protocol. ence, convened in New York on 24 April - 19 May.
The Ministers also noted the call for all States to sign
The Ministers welcomed the Convention against
and ratify the CTBT and to accede to the NPT. They
Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols and
also mentioned the NPT Review Conference Final
encouraged ARF participating countries to sign and
Document’s call on the Conference on Disarmament
ratify them soon. The Ministers expressed their sup-
to agree on a program of work including the immedi-
ports for results of the UN Conference on the Illicit
ate commencement of negotiations on the FMCT.
Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its
The Ministers further emphasized the importance of
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systematic and progressive efforts by NWS on nucle- armament and, in this regard, the Ministers also wel-
ar disarmament and called on them to work towards comed the UNGA Resolution 53/77D of 4 December
total elimination of nuclear weapons. The Meeting 1998 on Mongolia’s international security and nucle-
noted further the recent adoption by the Mongolian ar-weapon-free status.
Parliament of a Law on its Nuclear-Weapon-Free
The Ministers called on all States to accede to the
Status as an important unilateral measure undertaken
NPT and CTBT, urged the Conference on Disarma-
by Mongolia in pursuance of the UN General As-
ment (CD) to immediately begin and swiftly con-
sembly resolution A/53/77D on “Mongolia's interna-
clude FMCT negotiations, to require States to exer-
tional security and nuclear weapon-free status.” The
cise restraint in the development, testing, and export
Ministers reiterated their support for the work of the
of ballistic missiles and other WMD delivery means,
Ad Hoc Group of States Parties to the BTWC on the
and called for a speedy and successful conclusion to
negotiations on a verification protocol for the BTWC
the negotiations on a verification protocol for the
and their call for a speedy conclusion of the negotia-
BTWC. The Ministers noted with appreciation the
tions.
entry into force of the Ottawa Convention on the
The Ministers discussed issues pertaining to transna- Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and
tional crime, especially issues of piracy, illegal mi- Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruc-
gration, including trafficking in human persons, par- tion, and the convening of the First Meeting of the
ticularly women and children, and illicit trafficking in State Parties to the Convention held in Maputo on 3-7
small arms. They recognized that these transnational May 1999. They also noted the early entry into force
issues not only could pose challenges to regional of the amended mines protocol (Protocol II) of the
peace and stability, but also impair individual coun- Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), and
tries’ efforts in promoting national economic devel- efforts being made in other bodies, including the CD,
opment and improving people’s livelihood. Hence, to complement the Ottawa Convention by engaging
cooperative approaches were necessary to deal with key non-signatories. The Ministers agreed to support
these problems. They also noted the seriousness of initiatives to enhance international cooperation on de-
the implications of drug production and trafficking as mining, the removal of unexploded ordnance and
well as the need to address other issues such as mon- rehabilitation of victims, and commended efforts by
ey laundering, corrupt-ion, and computer crimes. The some ARF countries to provide training and assis-
Ministers underlined the importance of greater bilat- tance on mine clearance.
eral, regional, and international cooperative efforts in
1998: The 5th Meeting of the ARF was convened in
this regard and expressed support for the on-going
Manila on 27 July. The meeting was chaired by H.E.
negotiations on the Convention Against Transnation-
Domingo L. Siazon, Jr., Secretary of Foreign Affairs
al Organized Crime and its Protocols, as well as the
of the Philippines.
convening of the International Conference on the
Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All The Ministers noted with appreciation the conclusion
Its Aspects in 2001. They nonetheless noted that the of the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the
extent of the impact of transnational crime problems Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-
differs across regions and, in this context, the Minis- Personnel Mines and their Destruction and welcomed
ters agreed that the ARF should continue to address the decision of the CD to re-appoint a Special Coor-
transnational crime issues, which affected security of dinator on landmines and efforts to bring into force
the Asia-Pacific region, and explore how the ARF the CCW amended mines protocol (Protocol II). The
could increase regional awareness and complement Ministers called on all States to accede to the NPT,
the work undertaken in other existing fora. CTBT, and CWC and urged the Ad Hoc Group of
States Parties to the BTWC to intensify and complete
1999: The 6th Meeting of the ARF was held in Singa-
its work as soon as possible before the commence-
pore on 26 July. The meeting was chaired by H.E.
ment of the Fifth Review Conference. They asked the
Professor S. Jayakumar, Minister for Foreign Affairs
countries concerned to refrain from undertaking
of Singapore.
weaponization or deploying missiles to deliver nucle-
The Ministers expressed support for the continuing ar weapons, and to prevent any transfer of nuclear
consultations between the State Parties of the weapon-related materials, technology, and equipment
SEANWFZ Treaty and the NWS regarding the lat- to third countries. In the interest of peace and security
ters' accession to the Protocol of the Treaty. The Min- in the region, the Ministers called on the countries
isters noted that nuclear-weapon-free zones would concerned to resolve their dispute and security con-
contribute to the goal of comprehensive nuclear dis- cerns through peaceful dialogue.
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The Ministers noted the signing of the Second Proto- who will consult all the other ARF participants at
col to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in the Senior Official Meeting and ascertain whether
Southeast Asia by the High Contracting Parties at the a consensus exists for the admission of the new
31st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Manila on 25 participant. Actual decisions on participation will
July 1998 and agreed to consider the call of the TAC be approved by the Ministers.
High Contracting Parties for non-Southeast Asian
1995: The 2nd ARF was held in Bandar Seri Begawan
States, particularly the major powers, to accede to the
(Brunei) on 1 August, and it identified the following
Treaty after the Second Protocol enters into force.
areas for further study: confidence-and security-
1997: The 4th Meeting of the ARF was held in building, nuclear nonproliferation, cooperation in
Subang Jaya, Malaysia on 27 July. The meeting was peacekeeping, exchanges of unclassified military
chaired by the Honourable Dato' Seri Abdullah Haji information, maritime security issues, and preventive
Ahmad Badawi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ma- diplomacy. It discussed regional security issues such
laysia. as the South China Sea, the situation on the Korean
Peninsula, and resumed French and Chinese nuclear
The Ministers welcomed the entry into force, on 27
weapons testing. On 8-10 May, the ARF sponsored
March, of the SEANWFZ Treaty, which represented
the third “Preventive Diplomacy Seminar,” which
an important effort of Southeast Asian States towards
was held in Seoul.
strengthening the security in the region and towards
the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones glob- 1994: During the 27th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in
ally. In this connection, the Ministers welcomed the Bangkok, the first meeting of ARF was held on 25
ongoing consultations between State Parties to the July. This was ASEAN’s initiative that brought to-
Treaty and the NWS to facilitate accession by the gether the six foreign ministers of ASEAN Member
latter to the Protocol of the SEANWFZ Treaty. The Countries and their counterparts from ASEAN’s sev-
Ministers emphasized that an approach to nonprolif- en “Dialogue Partners” (Australia, Canada, the EU,
eration, which is universal, comprehensive, and non- Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United
discriminatory, was urgently needed if the interna- States), two “Consultative Partners” (China and Rus-
tional community was to achieve the objective of sia), two observers (Laos and Vietnam), and one spe-
comprehensive nuclear nonproliferation. The Minis- cial observer (Papua New Guinea) to discuss regional
ters reiterated their determination to continue to con- security issues in an informal setting. The partici-
tribute to the prevention of the proliferation of nucle- pants agreed to convene ARF on an annual basis.
ar weapons, and urged the NWS to pursue vigorously
ASEAN Secretary-General Rodolfo Severino (Phil-
negotiations on effective measures relating to nuclear
ippines) was elected by the ASEAN Foreign Minis-
disarmament with the ultimate objective of eliminat-
ters to a five-year term, beginning on 1 January 1998.
ing nuclear weapons.
1996: In July, the ASEAN Regional Forum adopted Point of Contact:
the following criteria for participation: ASEAN Regional Forum Unit
1. Commitment ― All new participants, which must The ASEAN Secretariat
be sovereign States, must subscribe to, and work 70A Jalan Sisingamangaraja
cooperatively to help achieve the ARF key goals. Jakarta 12110
Prior to their admission, all new participants Indonesia
should agree to abide by and respect fully the de- Tel: +62 21 7262 991
cisions and statements already made by the ARF.
FAX: +62 21 7398 234
All ASEAN members are automatically partici-
Website: http://www.aseanregionalforum.org/
pants of ARF.
2. Relevance ― A State should be admitted only if it
can be demonstrated that it has an impact on the
peace and security of the “geographical footprint”
of key ARF activities (i.e., Northeast and South-
east Asia as well as Oceania).
3. Gradual expansion ― Efforts must be made to
keep the number of participants at a manageable
level to ensure the effectiveness of the ARF.
4. Consultations ― All applications for participation
should be submitted to the Chairman of the ARF,
ARF-7
Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes
© Center for Nonproliferation Studies
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