1. The Fourteenth ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting was held on 6 November 2008 in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. H.E. Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza, Department of Transportation and Communications of the Philippines and H.E. Ho Nghia Dzung, Minister of Transport of Viet Nam served the Meeting as Chair and Vice-Chairperson, respectively.
2. The Ministers expressed their appreciation to Singapore for her ATM chairmanship in the past year. The Ministers recognized the notable progress in ASEAN transport cooperation following the overall implementation of the sectoral programs under the ASEAN Transport Action Plan (ATAP) 2005-2010 and the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) 2004-2010, during Singapore’s tenure as ATM Chair.
Opening Ceremony
3. H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Philippines, graced the 14th ATM as principal witness to the signing of the three (3) key ASEAN transport agreements in Malacanang Palace.
4. H.E. Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita, Office of the President of the Philippines officially opened the Fourteenth ATM. In his Keynote Speech, he reiterated the call of H.E. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, on the ASEAN Leaders to unite and take a bold step forward to ensure that the ASEAN economies are further protected from the global economic and financial slowdown. He stressed that transport cooperation is one of the linchpins for regional integration via the ASEAN Economic Community. He indicated that through intensified transport cooperation, the ASEAN region would enjoy an efficient and integrated multimodal transport system connected to the global economy, improved competitiveness, an enhanced inflow of foreign direct investments, flourishing tourism sector, and liberalized air and maritime transport services. He also called for following through the transport related initiatives such as transport infrastructure development, enhancement of regional linkages and interconnectivity, and implementation of cooperative frameworks with the ASEAN Dialogue Partners.
Gearing Transport towards ASEAN Economic Community
5. The Ministers affirmed the importance of further advancing ASEAN transport’s integration and development in the building of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. The Ministers agreed to intensify concerted efforts in the timely implementation of the AEC Transport Strategic Schedule and Scorecard and in this regard welcomed the formulation of the supporting ASEAN Strategic Transport Plan (ASTP) 2011-2015. The Ministers acknowledged the importance and critical roles in continuing collaboration and cooperation with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, international organizations and partners and related private sector associations and other stakeholders on strategic transport and infrastructure programs to hasten the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015.
Moving Ahead to Greater Aviation Growth
6. The Ministers concluded the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services and the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Air Freight Services which are landmark agreements shaping the route for the single aviation market in ASEAN. These Agreements will provide the competitive space for greater expansion and opportunities for air travel within the ASEAN region, in terms of more destinations, increased capacities and lower fares. In particular, the business community and travelling public stand to benefit from unrestricted access to all ASEAN cities for cargo services and to all ASEAN capital cities for passenger services. The Ministers also looked forward to the expansion of passenger air services to include all the other cities. This will constitute a solid foundation for ASEAN to negotiate and conclude open skies agreements with key Dialogue Partners such as China and India. The Ministers called on the ASEAN Tourism Ministers to take advantage of the benefits under the ASEAN air services agreement.
7. The Ministers in underscoring the pivotal role of the ASEAN Single Aviation Market (SAM) in the ASEAN Economic Community tasked the senior officials to expedite the finalization of the SAM implementation agreement for consideration at the next ATM in 2009. The Ministers welcomed the EC-assisted ASEAN Air Transport Integration Project (AATIP) which aims to reinforce ASEAN’s air services liberalization efforts through the strengthening of institutional and technical capacities of ASEAN Member States in aviation safety, security and air traffic management, in line with international standards.
Strengthening Transport Facilitation and Logistics Environment
8. The Ministers also concluded the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport (AFAFIST) that will greatly facilitate seamless regional cargo transportation. The Agreement puts in place the final enabling framework to support a harmonized, integrated and efficient transport logistics and facilitation environment in ASEAN.
9. The Ministers looked forward to the early convening of the ASEAN Transit Transport Coordinating Board (TTCB) to effectively chart the overall operationalization of the ASEAN cross-border agreements covering transit, multimodal and inter-state transport.
Deepening Transport Integration
10. The Ministers were pleased with the notable progress in implementing the various measures under the Roadmap Towards an Integrated and Competitive Maritime Transport to foster competition in shipping markets, improve market access and further enhance seamless logistics within the region. The Ministers looked forward to actively deliberating the strategic framework for the ASEAN Single Shipping Market in the next ATM.
11. The Ministers highlighted that rapid urbanization and motorization in ASEAN put a heavy strain on the health, mobility and safety of the population. In this regard, the Ministers affirmed on the importance to pursue sustainable transport programs to improving road safety, as well as increasing energy efficiency and reducing consumption and emissions in the transport sector. The Ministers stressed on the need for concerted multi-sectoral collaboration and partnerships among different government institutions, private and business sectors and civil societies as well as relevant international organizations. Related initiatives on road safety, and on energy and environment in the ASEAN transport are being planned with technical assistance support from the Asian Development Bank and the German Technical Cooperation Programme (GTZ), among others.
12. The Ministers welcomed the ASEAN Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Relating to Maritime Accident and Incident Investigation for eventual signing at 15th ATM next year.
Solidifying Cooperation with Dialogue Partners
13. The Ministers were pleased with the considerable progress of transport cooperation with China and Japan in the past year. The Ministers endorsed for adoption of the Manila Action Plan to implement the ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership projects. The Ministers looked forward for the finalisation of the Strategic Plan for ASEAN-China Transport Cooperation. The Ministers also looked forward to the conclusion of the ASEAN-China MOU on Maritime Consultation Mechanism in 2009.
14. The Ministers were pleased to adopt the ASEAN-India Aviation Cooperation Framework which will lay the foundation for closer aviation cooperation between ASEAN and India. The Ministers are confident that its early implementation will result in a more liberalized environment which will be beneficial to all.
15. The Ministers welcomed the formalization of the strategic engagement with the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 2009.
Fifteenth ATM
16. The Ministers expressed their sincere appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of the Philippines for the warm hospitality accorded to the delegations and the excellent arrangements made for the meeting. The Ministers will meet for the 15th ATM in Viet Nam in 2009.
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LIST OF MINISTERS
(a) H.E. Pehin Dato Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Communications for Brunei Darussalam;
(b) H.E. Mr. Tauch Chankosal, Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia;
(c) H.E. Mr. Jusman Syafii Djamal, Minister for Transportation of Indonesia;
(d) H.E. Mr. Sommad Pholsena, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR;
(e) H.E. Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Transport for Malaysia;
(f) H.E. Maj. Gen. Thein Swe, Minister of Transport for Myanmar;
(g) H.E. Mr. Leandro R. Mendoza, Secretary of Transportation and Communications for the Philippines;
(h) H.E. Mr. Raymond Lim Siang Keat, Minister for Transport for Singapore;
(i) H.E. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Deputy Minister of Transport of Thailand;
(j) H.E. Mr. Ho Nghia Dzung, Minister of Transport of Viet Nam; and
(k) Mr. Honorio R. Vitasa, Cluster Director, ASEAN Secretariat
