Final Report
The Network of East Asian Think-tanks (NEAT) Working Group:“Overall Architecture of Community Building in East Asia”
Regional Architectures for Non-Traditional Security andEnvironmental Cooperation in East Asia

Introduction
1. The Meeting of the NEAT Working Group on “Overall Architecture ofCommunity Building in East Asia (Regional Architectures for Non-Traditional
Security and Environmental Cooperation in East Asia)” was held under thesponsorship of the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) on April 24 and 25,
2006 in Tokyo, Japan. A total of 20 participants from all 13 NEAT member
countries were engaged in free, lively, and productive discussions.
2. Community-building in East Asia has made a remarkable progress since 1997
when the first ASEAN+3 Summit was held.
This is evident in theinstitutionalization of ASEAN+3 processes, currency cooperation, bilateral andmultilateral economic cooperation through Economic Partnership Agreements andFree Trade Agreements, and the East Asia Summit (EAS). Above all, functional
cooperation is making steady progress and will be an important driving force inlaying the foundations of the East Asia community.
3. The NEAT Working Group (WG) focused on three main themes: cooperation on
non-traditional security issues; pandemic threats; and environmental issues. The
three main themes were chosen because their causes and effects are transnational,and require regional cooperation. Jointly addressing the problems shared by, andaffecting, East Asian countries is crucial to fostering trust for community-building in
the region.
4. For purposes of clarity, the WG adopted a working definition (used in the 2002
Joint Declaration of ASEAN and China) of “non-traditional security issues” asfollows: problems such as trafficking in illegal drugs, people-smuggling (including
trafficking in women and children), sea piracy, terrorism, arms smuggling, money
laundering, international economic crime and cyber crime which affect regional andinternational security and pose new challenges to regional and international peaceand stability.
5. The WG also addressed the issue of pandemic threats with specific reference to1

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza. The WG
discussed institutional frameworks for dealing with such environmental problems as
deforestation, forest fires, chemical pollution, air pollution, marine and rivercontamination, and global warming.
6. Institution building is crucial for community building. The WG underlined theimportance of an effective secretariat for East Asia cooperation. The secretariat
should be supported by the members of the East Asia community.

Architecture to Promote Cooperation on Non-Traditional Security Issues(Transnational Crimes):
7. (1) There is a broad consensus on the need for regional cooperation in addressing
transnational crimes, above all human trafficking (including trafficking in womenand children), drug trafficking, and money laundering.
(2) Transnational crimes are often linked. For example, trafficking in narcotics also
involves money laundering and arms smuggling.
(3) There are two major challenges that need to be addressed for promoting
cooperation in these fields: the cultural gap (that is, the varying perceptions andpriorities of different countries) and the gap in state capability (that is, thedifferences between statements/declarations and implementation). These gaps areparticularly prominent in the legal, institutional, technical, and information areas.
(4) There have been sufficient discussions at the Track II level. What is required
now is the promotion of actual programs for regional cooperation in combatingtransnational crimes.
(5) ASEAN+3 should serve as main processes for regional cooperation, along withother essential frameworks, especially in formulating general principles for regionallaw enforcement based on respect for sovereignty and mutual trust. The ASEAN
Secretariat should serve as the program coordinator of the region’s attempts tonarrow the above gaps.
(6) Civil societies should play a more important role in combating transnational
crime and Track-II should facilitate their efforts. It may be possible to propose
extra sessions in the ASEAN People’s Assembly on these issues.
(7) Specific issues need to be addressed as part of, among others, ASEAN+32

processes, including sharing of information and intelligence, extraterritoriality, andharmonization of legal systems. To deal with these challenges and issues we needto come up with general, common principles that address not only crime but also
issues such as poverty alleviation and protection of labor, assistance to developing
countries, immigration, law-enforcement frameworks, fostering mutual trust,establishment of databases and central strategic research and coordination ofinformation exchange.
(8) The creation of a Center for Transnational Crime will be useful. Its missions,
including capacity building in general, trust-building, and information exchange,
should be clear.

Architecture to Promote Cooperation on Non-Traditional Security Issues
Terrorism
8. (1) There is also broad consensus about terrorism. The 2001 ASEAN declaration
to combat terrorism aims to deepen cooperation among law enforcement agencies,
study relevant international conventions, enhance information and intelligenceexchange, build capacity, and increase cooperation at the bilateral, regional andinternational levels. The Southeast Asia Regional Center for Counterterrorism has
been established in Kuala Lumpur.
(2) ASEAN+3 cooperation builds on what the ASEAN has achieved. AMMTC + 3
is the appropriate mechanism for promoting cooperation on counterterrorism. AnASEAN+3 unit in the ASEAN Secretariat should be strengthened and follow closely
such cooperation.
(3) It is also important to develop a common position among the ASEAN+3countries so that they can work together to support the UN conventions on terrorism.
(4) It is crucial to promote constructive values through a country’s education system
so as to curb extremist influences on the young generation. It must be ensured that
school texts do not promote a culture of hate and chauvinism. Terrorism should not
be associated with any race, culture or religion. The war on terrorism must not
only address the symptoms but also their root causes.
Maritime Crimes
9. (1) There is less consensus on regional cooperation in maritime security.
3

“Securing the seas,” defined as “securing the consolidated web of communication,”(COWOC) looks not only at sea lanes, but also at international straits and hub
seaports as crucial to maritime security.
(2) Although there is no disagreement on the importance of security in sea lanes,international straits and hub seaports, there is no consensus about how to go about
achieving this, mainly because of the political sensitivity of the issue, above allconcerning the security of the Straits of Malacca.
(3) Given the enormous importance of maritime security--for instance traffic in theStraits of Malacca is expected to double in ten years--littoral states should beencouraged to take initiatives to reach a common agreement with user countries on
the norms and rules of maritime security in the Straits of Malacca and in creating aframework for burden- sharing between littoral and user countries.
(4) Multilateral mechanisms for dealing with issues such as oil spills and search andrescue operations should be put in place.
Weapons Trafficking
10. Weapons trafficking is also a matter of concern. However, Track 1 and Track 2
processes have different foci: Track 1 tends to look at heavy weapons trafficking,while Tracks 2 and 3 are more concerned with the trafficking in small weapons.

Architecture to Promote Cooperation on Pandemic Threats
11. (1) There is a general consensus about the urgency of containing avian influenza.
Containing the avian flu should be dealt with as part of ASEAN+3 and otherprocesses to promote cooperation among members.
(2) Countries in the region have practical experiences in dealing with SARS, which
requires not only state but also societal response. These experiences will be
instrumental in addressing avian flu and whatever comes after it. Stock-taking
should be promoted, good practices should be shared among the member countries,and efforts should be made for capacity building to contain the threat.

Architecture to Promote Cooperation on Environmental Issues
12.

(1)

Environmental

problems

are4

especiallysalientfor

fosteringcommunity-building because they are not zero-sum “games” and because
governments are already under strong pressure from their citizens to take action.
(2) Policy priority should be given to global and regional problems, especially global
warming, deforestation, and marine and river contamination, since they cannot beproperly addressed without regional and global cooperation.
(3) In promoting regional cooperation, 1) emphasis should be placed on technicaland scientific approaches; 2) broadening the existing bilateral or sub-regionalframeworks for cooperation into a regional framework; 3) producing common
guidelines for environmental management, assessments and common codes ofconduct by an Experts Group of ASEAN+3 and institutional platform forcooperation; 4) conclusion of regional agreements to address trans-boundary
environmental problems among governments of ASEAN+3, of which Northwest
Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) can serve as a model; and 5) obtaining technicalknowledge from developed countries.
(4) The goal of sustainable economic development should be promoted. The joint
academic research and the development of the new technology in the field ofenvironmental protection should be promoted.
(5) Cooperative mechanisms should be built on what has already been established byASEAN and ASEAN+3.

In Concluding,
13. The WG stresses that:(1) Addressing non-traditional security issues, pandemic threats and environmental
issues is not only important in itself, but also crucial to nurturing trust and promoting
community building in East Asia.
(2) There is a need for policy initiatives to be as specific as possible.
(3) There is a need to take advantage of, and build on, existing mechanisms forcooperation.

5Annex 1

Concept Paper for the NEAT Working Group on“Overall Architecture of Community Building in East Asia”

Theme (2005-2006): Regional Architectures for Non-Traditional Securityand Environmental Cooperation in East Asia
Background and Objectives:
Countries in East Asia now confront a number of shared problems andchallenges which call for cooperation and collaboration on a region-widebasis. These issues include non-traditional security problems such as“terrorism”; piracy; human, weapon and drug trafficking; smuggling; andpandemic threats such as SARS and avian influenza; as well as
environmental problems such as deforestation, forest fires and haze;chemical pollution; acid rain; and air pollution.
This working group seeks to identify the specific needs and concerns ofcountries in East Asia in the areas of non-traditional security andenvironmental issues. It seeks to provide a mapping of existing institutions
and initiatives aimed at addressing these needs and concerns. It will also
call attention to needs and concerns which have not yet been identified or
which have yet to be adequately addressed, and to point out the obstacles or
hurdles which need to be overcome. The working group aims to identify
agencies, institutions, organizations and individuals which can provide
resources for building and strengthening institutions and initiatives forregional cooperation and collaboration in the two areas.
Main Issues:
A. Identifying specific needs and concerns in the areas of non-traditional
security and environmental issues
1. What kinds of non-traditional security and environmental issues are
East Asian countries confronting?
2. What kinds of institutions and initiatives have been establishedwithin each country and on a regional basis (whether bilaterally ormultilaterally) to address these issues?
3. How effective have these existing institutions and initiatives been inaddressing the issues?
4. What are the obstacles or hurdles which need to be overcome formore effective collaboration and cooperation?
5. Are there needs and concerns which have yet to be identified oraddressed adequately?
6. Which issues or aspects of issues require new initiatives andinstitutions? What kind of initiatives and institutions? What kind ofobstacles need to be overcome to make these new initiatives andinstitutions effective?
B. Policy implications
1. What kinds of institutions should be created to address thechallenges identified by this study?
2. What kinds of government agencies, institutions, organizations andindividuals may or should be enlisted or mobilized for regional
cooperation and collaboration?
C. Identifying and constructing regional architectures for cooperation andcollaboration in the fields of non-traditional security and environment
1. What types of regional architecture for cooperation and collaborationin the fields of non-traditional security and environment are now inplace in the region?
2. How may the current regional architectures be strengthened anddeveloped to effectively confront the challenges now faced by East
Asia?
3. What kinds of regional architecture should be developed to maximize
cooperation and collaboration in these two fields?

Sponsor and Members:
Sponsor: The Japan Forum on International Relations, Inc.
Director:
Prof. SHIRAISHI Takashi

Vice President, National Graduate Institute
For Policy Studies

Members:(For Japan)
Mr. AKIYAMA Masahiro
Prof. TSUNEKAWA Keiichi
Prof/Amb. ISHIGAKI Yasuji
Assoc. Prof. HONNA Jun

Chairman,
Ocean
PolicyResearchFoundation
Professor, the University of Tokyo
Councilor, the Japan Forum on International
Relations, Inc.
Associate Professor, Ritsumeikan University

One member from each of the other member countries

The Meeting of the NEAT Working Group on“Overall Architecture of Community Building in East Asia”

Annex 2

Regional Architectures for Non-Traditional Security and Environmental Cooperation in East Asia
Sponsored by the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR)
April 24-25, 2006 / Tokyo, Japan- Program The First Day (Monday April 24, 2006) / ANA Hotel Tokyo
16:30 – 18:00

Business Meeting (program, scheduling of discussions, etc.)
Prof. SHIRAISHI Takashi, Director of the WG and Vice President, National
Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (Japan)

Moderator
18:30 – 20:30

Welcome Dinner hosted by Prof. ITO Kenichi, President & CEO, JFIRThe Second Day (Tuesday April 25, 2006) / the Conference Room of JFIR (short walk from the hotel)
9:45-10:00

Opening

Prof/Amb. ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Councilor, JFIR
Opening
Introductory Remarks(15 min) Prof. SHIRAISHI Takashi
10:00-12:00 SessionⅠ “Building Regional Architectures for Non-Traditional Security Issues‐
Part 1: Transnational Crimes & Avian Flu*”
Moderator
Prof. SHIRAISHI Takashi
Lead Discussant (10 min)Dr. HONNA Jun, Associate Professor, Ritsumeikan University (Japan)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Dr. Stephen LEONG, Secretary-General, Institute of Strategic and International
Studies (ISIS) Malaysia (Malaysia)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Ms. Luan Thuy DUONG, Director, Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, Institute forInternational Relations (Vietnam)
Free Discussion (90 min)All Participants
12:00-13:00 Lunch at Restaurant “Seventh Heaven”
13:00-15:00 SessionⅡ “Building Regional Architectures for Non-Traditional Security Issues‐
Part 2: Maritime Security, Terrorism and Weapons Trafficking”
Moderator
Dr. Noel M. MORADA, Executive Director, Institute for Strategic and Development
Studies (The Philippines)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Mr. AKIYAMA Masahiro, Chairman, Ocean Policy Research Foundation (Japan)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Dr. Prapat THEPCHATREE, Chair, Asian Studies Program, Institute of East AsianStudies, Thammasat University (Thailand)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Dr. LAM Peng Er, Senior Research Fellow, East Asian Institute, National Universityof Singapore (Singapore)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Prof. KIM Keeseok, Professor, Kangwon National University (Korea)
Free Discussion (80 min)All Participants
15:00-15:15 Coffee Break (15 min)15:15:-17:15
Moderator

Session III“Promoting Environmental Cooperation in East Asia”
Dr. Hariyadi WIRAWAN, Assistant Professor/Chairperson, Department ofInternational Relations, University of Indonesia (Indonesia)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Prof. SU Hao, Deputy Director, Center for International Security, China ForeignAffairs University (China)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Prof. TSUNEKAWA Keiichi, Professor, the University of Tokyo (Japan)
Lead Discussant (10 min)Dr. Lattana THAVONSOUK, Director, Research Division, Institute of Foreign
Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Laos)
Free Discussion (90 min)All Participants
17:15-17:30 Coffee Break (15 min)
17:30-18:00 Session IV Wrap-Up
Moderator
Prof/Amb. ISHIGAKI Yasuji
Presenter
Prof. SHIRAISHI Takashi* Trafficking in Person, Drug, Money Laundering, Cyber Crimes, etc.

Annex 3

The Meeting of the NEAT Working Group on“Overall Architecture of Community Building in East Asia”
Regional Architectures for Non-Traditional Security and Environmental Cooperation in East Asia
Sponsored by the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR)
April 24-25, 2006 / Tokyo, Japan- Participants List <Brunei>
Mr. MAHADI Maidin<Cambodia>
Amb. Pou SOTHIRAK<China>Prof. SU Hao<Indonesia>
Dr. Hariyadi WIRAWAN
Mr. Yudhistiranto SUNGADI<Japan>Prof. ITO Kenichi
Prof. SHIRAISHI Takashi
Mr. AKIYAMA Masahiro
Amb/Prof. ISHIGAKI YasujiProf. TSUNEKAWA Keiichi
Dr. HONNA Jun<Korea>
Prof. KIM Keeseok<Laos>
Dr. Lattana THAVONSOUK<Malaysia>
Dr. Stephen LEONG<Myanmar>
Mr. U Than TUN< The Philippines>
Dr. Noel M. MORADA<Singapore>

Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Japan
Ambassador of the Royal Government of Cambodia to Japan
Deputy Director, Center for International Security, China Foreign Affairs
University
Assistant Professor/Chairperson, Department of International Relations,
University of Indonesia
Director/Head, Center for International Organizations, Policy Planning andDevelopment Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
President & CEO, JFIR
Director of the Working Group and Vice President, National Graduate
Institute for Policy Studies
Chairman, Ocean Policy Research Foundation
Councilor, the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR)
Professor, the University of Tokyo
Associate Professor, Ritsumeikan University
Professor, Kangwon National University
Director, Research Division, Institute of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Secretary-General, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia
Joint Secretary, Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies(Myanmar-ISIS)
Executive Director, Institute for Strategic and Development Studies

Senior Research Fellow, East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore
Dr. LAM Peng Er<Thailand>
Assoc. Prof. Yupha KLANGSUWAN Director, Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat UniversityChair, Asian Studies Program, Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat UniversityDr. Prapat THEPCHATREE<Vietnam>Director, Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, Institute for International Relations
Ms. Luan Thuy DUONGIn Alphabetical Order