Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on the Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami
(Summary and Evaluation)

January 6, 2005

On January 6, the Special ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on the Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The summary and evaluation of the meeting is as follows;

1. Summary

(1) Summary of the meeting

(a) This special summit meeting was realized with the ASEAN countries, centering on Indonesia which has suffered the most damage from the disaster, making an appeal to relevant countries, regions and international organizations.

(b) Representatives of 29 countries, regions and international organizations took part in this meeting including Japan, the United States (US), China, the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), the World Bank and others together with the leaders of the ASEAN countries. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura attended the meeting as representatives of Japan.

(c) Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan issued a Flash Appeal for $977 million and each country announced specific measures for short-term emergency relief as well as long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to areas affected by the disaster.

(d) The "Declaration on Action to Strengthen Emergency Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Prevention on the Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster of 26 December 2004 was adopted."

(2) Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi

(a) As a fellow Asian partner and as a country that has had its own countless experiences with natural disasters, we in Japan cannot help feeling the deepest sympathy to the victims of this recent tsunami disaster.

(b) I call on countries of the world to show solidarity in responding to the UN Appeal to the maximum extent possible, consistent with the Declaration we are going to issue today, and to swiftly put their respective pledges into practice.

(c) Japan will provide assistance to the maximum extent possible in three ways: financial resources, human resources, and knowledge and expertise.

Japan has pledged, for the time being, to extend up to $500 million of grant money as emergency assistance to cope with the damage. Of this, Japan will provide $250 million for assistance to disaster-stricken countries through relevant international organizations, and $250 million for bilateral grant aid.
Japan dispatched the Japan Disaster Relief Teams to provide medical assistance. Japan is also preparing support measures in the field of transport and epidemics prevention by mobilizing the capabilities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. To this end, transport aircraft of the Air Self-Defense Force has left Japan today (January 6).
Japan will make vigorous efforts to expeditiously establish a Tsunami early warning mechanism for the Indian Ocean countries. I propose that a special session on this early warning mechanism be held at the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe starting January 18.
Japan will extend its maximum possible assistance for the medium and long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction plans as the tsunami disaster caused serious damage to social infrastructures in the disaster-stricken countries.

(3) Main points of the "Declaration on Action to Strengthen Emergency Relief, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Prevention on the Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster of 26 December 2004."

(a) Solemnly express profound sorrow for those afflicted by the disaster and solidarity to overcome the unprecedented catastrophe befalling the Indian Ocean rim countries on 26 December 2004. Response measures must be taken on a global scale for this unprecedented level of damage. Applaud the leading role of the affected countries in addressing this disaster, and at the same time recognize the role of the United Nations.
(b) With regard to the emergency relief, welcome the Flash Appeal by the United Nations and request the United Nations to mobilize the international community. In this connection, further request the United Nations to appoint a Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the above purpose. Work to strengthen coordination and cooperation of the national, regional and international relief efforts.
(c) Call on the international community to provide necessary funds for national programs for medium and long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction. Furthermore, welcome the initiative on the moratorium of payments of the external debt of the affected countries.
(d) Support ASEAN's decision to establish regional mechanisms on disaster prevention and mitigation. Establish a regional early warning system such as Regional Tsunami Early Warning Center on the Indian Ocean and the Southeast Asia region.

2. Evaluation of the meeting

(1) The delegations recognized the leading role will be played by the UN concerning future activities for reconstruction and rehabilitation, and in particular, requested the UN to appoint a Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General. Secretary-General Annan issued a Flash Appeal for $977 million, and the total amount of financial assistance pledged by countries around the world amounted to an unprecedented level. The future implementation of means and forms of assistance will be vital.

(2) Japan, immediately after the disaster, expressed the intention to provide grant aid of $500 million as emergency relief, dispatched Self-Defense Forces members to disaster-stricken areas and announced the construction of a Tsunami early warning mechanism, which was highly appreciated and accepted by the countries.

(3) Prime Minister Koizumi was the second speaker among the donor countries, only after the King of Brunei Darussalam, which implies the high evaluation given to the assistance provided by Japan thus far and a strong expectation for its future role. Japan will also extend its maximum possible assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

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