Trilateral Cooperation
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Secretariat News
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Mechanisms27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDRThe 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR on October 10, 2024. The Heads of State/Government of ASEAN member states, the Republic of Korea, Japan and the People’s Republic of China attended the Summit. Secretary-General LEE Hee-Sup of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) was also in attendance. The summit reviewed past APT cooperation and set future priorities, emphasizing the need to strengthen the APT cooperation framework to enhance regional connectivity and resilience. Leaders discussed strategies to seize opportunities and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the APT cooperation framework, fostering regional collaboration, and addressing emerging challenges. Looking ahead, they pledged to fully implement the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan (2023-2027) and welcomed the upcoming APT Economic Cooperation Work Plan (2025-2026). They also encouraged enhanced cooperation in key areas, including digital transformation, technology and innovation, green energy, economic and financial integration, environmental protection, infrastructure development, and regional food security. SG LEE met with ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) Director Dr. LI Kouqing during the Summit. He expressed gratitude for AMRO's support and his eagerness to enhance collaboration. In response, Director LI acknowledged TCS's longstanding support and expressed interest in hosting an AMRO-organized event later this year. Later at the Summit, SG LEE had a pull-aside meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. KAO Kim Hourn. Dr. KAO expressed appreciation for TCS's contributions and emphasized the importance of working together. SG LEE thanked the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) for its strong support of TCS's participation in the APT Summit and praised Dr. KAO's exceptional leadership in advancing ASEAN's development. He also expressed a desire for greater cooperation among ASEAN countries, particularly in youth exchange programs. Dr. KAO suggested launching a concrete project between ASEC and TCS, beginning with collaboration among the ASEAN Centers in each CJK country. The APT mechanism, established in 1997 in response to the regional financial crisis, has evolved into a vital platform for promoting political-security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation in East Asia. The next chairmanship of the APT Summit will be held by Malaysia.▲The 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit▲Pull-aside Meeting with AMRO Director Dr. LI Kouqing▲Pull-aside Meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Dr. KAO2024.10.10
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Mechanisms25th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM25) in Jeju, ROKOn September 29th, 2024, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delegation headed by Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup participated in the 25th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM25) in Jeju, the Republic of Korea. Prior to the Ministers Meeting, SG LEE also held bilateral meetings with Mr. KIM Wansup, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea, Mr. HUANG Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, and Mr. ITO Shintaro, Minister of Environment of Japan.At the Ministerial Meeting, the Ministers of the three countries gave presentations on the environment policies of each country and exchanged views on key environment issues, and shared best practices and progress achieved in addressing climate change, air quality, plastic waste management, biodiversity conservation, and circular economy.The three ministers were reported on the progress in the implementation of the Tripartite Joint Action Plan (TJAP) and reached consensus on the new priority areas for the next cycle of TJAP, including “Improving Environmental Qualities”; “Promoting Carbon Neutrality and Green Economy”; and “Enhancing Environmental Welfare”. The Meeting adopted the Joint Communiqué as the outcome document.During the Ministerial Meeting, SG LEE delivered his remarks, where he explained the central role of TEMM in consolidating trilateral cooperation for 25 years, and congratulated their achievements being recognized in the Joint Declaration of the 9th Trilateral Summit. He further asserted that TCS will continue to support TEMM through environment programs in the three countries.During his bilateral meetings with the environment ministers of the three countries on September 28th, SG LEE introduced the TCS and its environment-focused projects such as the Trilateral Environment Teachers Exchange Program (TTEP), and the Forum on Carbon Neutrality of China, Japan, and Korea, which received active support and participation from the three ministries. The three Ministers thanked TCS for its continued support for TEMM and expressed their hopes to further expand collaboration in the near future.The Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting was initiated in 1999, and celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. TEMM26 will be held next year in China.▲TEMM25 Meeting▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivering remarks at the Meeting (shown on screen)▲Bilateral meeting with Minister KIM Wansup of Ministry of Environment of ROK▲Bilateral meeting with Minister HUANG Runqiu of Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China▲Bilateral meeting with Minister ITO Shinatro of Ministry of Environment of Japan2024.09.28 ~ 2024.09.29
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Seminar & ForumTCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the 17th Trilateral Cultural Exchange ForumFrom September 25 to 27, 2024, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the 17th Trilateral Culture Exchange Forum in Fuzhou, Jiangxi, China. The forum was hosted by the Chinese Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries under the theme of “Traditional Theater of the Three Countries”. SG LEE has been invited as a guest to deliver a remark.At the plenary session, SG Lee delivered a remark on “Achievements and Future Prospects of Trilateral Exchange Cooperation”. In his remark, SG LEE stated that since the Trilateral Summit in May, trilateral cooperation has been revitalized, and exchanges between Korea, China, and Japan have become more active. He highlighted key achievements, including the designation of 2025-2026 as the "Years of Cultural Exchange" and the agreements reached at the Trilateral Culture Minister’s Meeting such as the 2024 Kyoto Declaration to enhance future cultural cooperation. Furthermore, SG LEE emphasized the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges in fostering trust and stability and reaffirmed the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat’s commitment to the successful implementation of these initiatives. Lastly, SG LEE emphasized the significance of the 17th Trilateral Culture Exchange Forum in Fuzhou and extended his gratitude to the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries for organizing the event.Since 2005, the Trilateral Culture Exchange Forum was initiated to promote friendship between Korea, China, and Japan, and has been held annually on rotational basis. Next year’s forum will be hosted in Japan.▲SG LEE delivering a remark▲Group Photo2024.09.25 ~ 2024.09.27
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Mechanisms17th Trilateral Cultural Industry Forum held in Hangzhou, ChinaFrom September 24 to 26, the 17th Trilateral Cultural Industry Forum was held in Hangzhou, China. Mr. MIAO Muyang, Director-General of the Industrial Development Department of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Mr. KIM Jae-Hyun, Director-General of the International Cultural Policy Bureau of South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. EZAWA Masana, Deputy Director of the Commerce and Service Industry Policy Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; and Mr. YAN Liang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat. ▲17th Trilateral Cultural Industry ForumTCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang delivered remarks at the forum. He emphasized the importance of cultural exchange, noting its recognition during the 9th Trilateral Summit. He outlined four key suggestions for trilateral cultural industry cooperation: aligning with the trilateral mechanism, focusing on youth-driven initiatives, leveraging platforms for collaboration, and expanding the “CJK+” model to boost global cultural competitiveness.▲TCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang Delivering RemarksUnder the theme of "Integrating Digital and Physical Technologies to Empower New Cultural and Tourism Experiences," the “17th Trilateral Cultural Industry Forum Cooperation Initiative” was signed during the forum. It emphasized the vital role of digital technology in advancing the cultural industry and noted successful explorations using cultural IP. The three countries agreed to foster cooperation among businesses, creators, and tech practitioners, aiming to develop new models and industries. They also pledged to strengthen collaboration in IP licensing and protection, promoting the continued growth of the trilateral cultural industries. The Trilateral Cultural Industry Forum is jointly established by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, serves as a key intergovernmental platform for cultural industry cooperation among the three nations. Since its inception in 2002, the forum has rotated between the three countries, making significant contributions to fostering practical cooperation in the cultural industry. The 18th China-Japan-Korea Cultural Industry Forum will be held next year in the ROK.▲Group Photo2024.09.24 ~ 2024.09.26
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