Press Releases
The 9th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF)
The 9th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) was held virtually from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Japan time) on November 17, hosted by Brunei Darussalam. Mr. OKANO, Masataka, Deputy Minister/ Director-General, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting, representing Japan.
- At this meeting, there were lively discussions on the rule of law at sea based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including the South China Sea issue. The participants also exchanged their views on Blue Economy and the protection of the marine environment. During the meeting, many countries emphasized the critical importance of UNCLOS. Japan expressed serious concerns and strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas, pointed out the significance of a rules-based maritime order, and introduced Japan's efforts toward a sustainable ocean economy. Japan also called on participants to develop the EAMF further as a Track 1.5 forum.
- Mr. KOJIMA, Michikazu, Chief Senior Researcher, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization, who has studied waste management and circular economy in Asia, and worked to establish Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris, in Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), gave a presentation on marine plastic debris which is a regional urgent issue, touching on the recent developments of international cooperation and Japan’s contributions to this issue. Participants showed great interest in and appreciation for his presentation.
At the East Asia Summit (EAS) in November 2011, Japan proposed to establish a forum to discuss maritime cooperation among the EAS member countries.
After careful consideration by the ASEAN members, the first EAMF took place in October 2012, back to back with the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) whose membership is exclusively the ASEAN countries. Since then, this meeting has been held, hosted by a chair of the AMF, with participation of EAS member countries and experts as a Track 1.5 forum.