Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development (Excerpts)

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

--We reaffirm that the MDGs and the Johannesburg targets underpin international cooperation for sustainable development, welcome ongoing efforts made by ASEM partners in achieving the MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals thus far, and recognize the grave challenges in achieving the MDGs as scheduled globally.

--We call on all partners to increase sustainable agricultural productivity and grain production, reduce market-distorting agricultural subsidies, and to expand investment in agriculture and rural development, create more job opportunities for low-income earners and raise their income level so as to effectively reduce hunger and poverty and to ensure food security.

--We call on developed countries to increase resources for development, fulfill the commitment of achieving the overall target of using 0.7 percent of their gross national income by 2015 for official development assistance and raise aid effectiveness.

Climate Change and Energy Security

--We recognize that ASEM partners share a mutual commitment to finding a long-term multilateral solution to climate change under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol framework.

--We welcome the decisions of the Bali Action Plan, containing all the elements for an ambitious, effective and comprehensive agreed outcome for long-term cooperative action now, up to and beyond 2012 for strengthening international cooperation on addressing climate change and are committed to the completion of negotiations by 2009.

--We encourage ASEM partners to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in development and utilization of energy and make contributions to safeguarding global energy security.

Social Cohesion

--We stress that ASEM partners share a common interest in strengthening social cohesion through coherent dialogue and cooperation, thus effectively contributing to a sustainable social dimension of globalization.

--Recognizing population aging has become a grave challenge facing both developed and developing countries, we stress that the goals, objectives and commitments identified in the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging, 2002 and the related regional strategies are to be met by ASEM partners.

--Recognizing that harmony between man and nature is part of social harmony, ecological civilization is an important building block for social cohesion and that eco-cities represent the trend for environmentally friendly and resource-conserving culture, we welcome the initiative of ASEM Eco-City Network proposed by China and encourage ASEM partners to take an active part in it.

Chair's Statement of the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (Excerpts)

Promoting Political Dialogue

--Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateralism and a multilateral international system with the United Nations at its core based on international law.

--While condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to take practical steps to prevent and combat terrorism with reference to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Advancing Economic Cooperation

--Leaders were concerned over the current situation of the Doha Round negotiations of the WTO and expressed the conviction that an early and successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda would bring benefits to all members, especially developing and the least developed countries.

--They welcomed the consensus on the necessity of strong and coherent policy responses to recent economic difficulties and mutual cooperation among ASEM partners in the areas of economic integration, infrastructure finance and microfinance in the form of sharing information and knowledge and capacity building.

--Leaders reiterated the importance of closer cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises to economic development and job creation.

Driving Sustainable Development

Leaders recognized that the impact of globalization is increasingly being felt by the people of ASEM members, and share a common interest in strengthening the social dimension of globalization and improving social cohesion.

Furthering Social and Cultural Exchanges

--Leaders reaffirmed the positive role of dialogue among cultures and civilizations in reducing poverty, realizing social peace, preventing regional conflicts, protecting the environment and promoting sustained economic growth, social development and common prosperity.

--Leaders welcomed the constructive role of parliaments, NGOs and civil society in promoting dialogue among cultures and civilizations and mutual understanding between people of Asia and Europe.

--Leaders recognized that human resources development constitutes a key factor in poverty reduction and economic and social development.