12th ASEM Summit held in Brussels, Belgium
The 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium. The theme of summit was ‘Global Partners for Global Challenges’. It was chaired by European Council President Donald Tusk. The summit was attended by heads of state of 51 European and Asian countries, representatives of European Union and Secretary General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). India was represented by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu. This edition of summit has prioritised issues related to trade and investment, connectivity, sustainable development, climate change, terrorism, migration, maritime security and cyberspace.
Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM)
ASEM is informal political dialogue and cooperation forum that brings 53 entities – including 51 countries (including India) from Asia and Europe and two regional bodies European Union (EU) and ASEAN. It represents around 62.3% of the world’s population, 57.2% of the global GDP and almost 60% of the world’s trade.
ASEM was officially established in March 1996 at the first summit in Bangkok, Thailand. The dialogue addresses political, economic and cultural issues between the two regions. It also seeks to strengthen relationship between the two regions in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership. Three main pillars ASEM process are Political & Security, Economic & Financial and Social, Cultural & Educational.
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Month: Current Affairs - October, 2018