Integrating Environmental Considerations into the Economic Decision-Making Process
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Volume 3East and Southeast AsiaMalaysia (agriculture) Index
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III. MECHANISMS FOR INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO AGRICULTURAL POLICY 

[ III | III-A | III-B | III-C | III-D | III-E | II-F ]

E. Mechanisms on trade and environment 

[ E | E-1 | E-2 | E-3 ]

2. Declarations on the environment 

The past economic performance of the ASEAN member countries has indicated its capacities to achieve growth. That trend is likely to continue as those countries industrialize, especially with regard to the implementation of the AFTA. ASEAN, as a whole, is conscious that growth without due regard to the environment cannot be sustained in the long term. Thus, the environment ranks high on the list of priorities among ASEAN leaders and officials. ASEAN has made seven major declarations/resolutions on the environment in slightly over a decade since the first one was announced in Manila in 1981. The last two declarations are discussed below.

(a) Singapore Resolution on Environment and Development

On 18 February 1992, the ASEAN leaders adopted the following resolution in Singapore:

Aware that the pursuit of sustainable development is essential for a better quality of life for the people of ASEAN today and in the future;

Further aware that sustainable development, especially the management of the environment, requires close cooperation among and between the member countries of ASEAN in particular, and global cooperation in general, and that ASEAN should therefore strengthen such cooperation;

Recognizing that environment and pollution factors must be integrated into developmental efforts in order to achieve sustainable development;

Further recognizing that the natural resources and environmental accounting and valuation of environmental and ecological factors are essential to the successful pursuit of sustainable development;

Convinced that the outcome of the Fourth ASEAN Summit in January 1992 has brought about immense opportunities of economic cooperation which promises regional growth, and that such growth will have to be sustained through, inter alia, greater intra-ASEAN cooperation;

Realizing that the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) to be held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 offers a unique opportunity to put effect programmes for global environmental management and the achievement of sustainable development, and that ASEAN should therefore contribute its views to this forum; and

Further realizing that being a grouping of dynamic developing countries, ASEAN should take a leading roll towards achieving a proper balance between environmental protection the economic development and promote its common views on these issues in international forums, including the Fourth UNCED Preparatory Committee Meeting held in New York in March 1992 and the Second Ministerial Conference of Developing Countries on Environment and Development held in Kuala Lumpur in April 1992.

(b) Kuala Lumpur Accord on Environment and Development

On 19 June 1990 in Kuala Lumpur, the ASEAN leaders adopted the following resolution:.

Aware that the management of the environment and the pursuit of sustainable development are imperative to securing the well-being of the people of ASEAN today and in the future;

Further aware that the management of the environment and the pursuit of sustainable development require close cooperation between the member countries of ASEAN in particular, and global cooperation in general, and that ASEAN should endeavour to strengthen such cooperation;

Conscious that UNCED, to be held in 1992, provides a forum and an opportunity to further promote such cooperation and for ASEAN to assert its views on environmental management and sustainable development;

Recognizing that the formulation of such views and practice would require preparatory steps and studies, jointly as well as separately;

Also recognizing that in such information, it would be beneficial to take note of:

  • The Manila Declaration of 1981
  • The Bangkok Declaration of 1984
  • The Jakarta Resolution of 1987
  • The Manila Summit Declaration of 1987
  • The Langkawi Declaration of 1989
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