On 7 September 2020, the Foreign Ministers of Cambodia as Host Nation of the 13th ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Summit and of countries acting as regional coordinators adopted a joint ASEM Statement on the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)1. ASEM partners agree on a common approach to problems coming in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and declare their readiness to cooperate on combating the COVID-pandemic.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide and its adverse impacts on societies and economies, ASEM partners confirm their solidarity and multilateral approach to addressing COVID-19, including a commitment to sharing experience and information in addressing the pandemic.
The ASEM Statement underlines the need to continue protecting fundamental freedoms, maintaining and promoting international trade, fighting misinformation and fake news, as well as honouring international commitments.
The ASEM Statement on Coronavirus Disease COVID-19.
Background information
ASEM is a multilateral dialogue between the EU Member States and Asian countries covering business cooperation, human rights, introduction of the principles of the rule of law, as well as areas such as global health threats, sustainable development, climate change, energy, intercultural and inter-faith dialogue, employment, and education. The 13th ASEM Summit has been scheduled for 2021.
1 Due to the extraordinary crisis created by COVID-19, ASEM Partners agreed to issue the Statement using special procedures and delegating, as an exception, the adoption of the Statement to the Foreign Ministers of the Host of the 13th ASEM Summit and to ASEM Regional Coordinators – the EU, Germany, Singapore and Russia.