The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an intergovernmental process established in 1996 to foster dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe. ASEM addresses political, economic, financial, social, cultural, and educational issues of common interest in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership.
The initial ASEM Partnership in 1996 consisted of 15 EU Member States, 7 ASEAN Member States, China, Japan, Korea and the European Commission. Today, ASEM comprises 53 Partners: 30 European and 21 Asian countries, the European Union and the ASEAN Secretariat.
Through its informal process based on equal partnership and enhancing mutual understanding, ASEM facilitates and stimulates progress but does not seek to duplicate bilateral and other multilateral relationships between Asia and Europe.
Key Characteristics
Informality : An open forum for policy makers and officials to discuss political, economic and socio-cultural issues of common interest, complementing the work carried out in bilateral and other multilateral fora
Multi-Dimensionality : Covering the full spectrum of relations between the two regions and devotes equal weight to political, economic and socio-cultural dimensions
Equal Partnership : Eschewing any "aid-based" relationship taken forward under bilateral relations in favour of a more general process of dialogue and co-operation based on mutual respect and mutual benefi
High-Level & People-to-People : A platform for meetings of Heads of States and Governments, Ministers and Senior Officials, as well as an increasing focus on fostering engagements in all sectors in the two regions
KCS participates in the ASEM Customs Director-Generals/Commissioners Meeting to enlarge customs cooperation between Asia and Europe. KCS has carried out various action plans such as cross-border e-commerce as one of the coordinators. KCS also held the 5th ASEM Customs Director-Generals/Commissioners Meeting in 2003.
ASEM Working Group on Customs Matters (AWC)
KCS is also participating in the ASEM Working Group on Customs Matters which is a working level meeting regarding customs matters.
