‘ Partnering for change, engaging the world’

in ASEAN that was adopted at the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits. We looked forward to the adoption of the Regional Action Plan by the ASEAN Labor Ministers and its subsequent implementation.

92. We encouraged the use of Women Migrant Workers in the AEC and the ASEAN Compendium on Migrant Workers’ Education and Safe Migration Program to raise awareness of and engage all stakeholders in promoting, protecting and empowering ASEAN migrant workers in our region.

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment (AMME)

93. We reiterated our commitment and support for the environment and in this regard encouraged the of the ASEAN Strategic Plan on Environment ( ASPEN) 20162025 to serve as key reference and comprehensive guide for ASEAN cooperation on environment for the period of 2016 to 2025.

94. We adopted the ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change to the 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP-23) and looked forward to the successful outcomes of UNFCCC COP-23 in Bonn, Germany on 6-17 November 2017. We welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Joint Declaration on Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes Management by the ASEAN Ministers responsible for Environment and the launch of the 5th ASEAN State of Environment Report. We noted that Thailand will host the ASEAN Conference on Reducing Marine Debris in ASEAN region on 22 – 23 November 2017 in Phuket.

ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB)

95. We reiterated our full support to the ACB and noted with pleasure the new headquarters building of the ACB in Los Baños, the Philippines, which was inaugurated on 29 July 2017. We expressed our high appreciation to the government of the Philippines for its continued support and commitment to the Center.

96. We commended the ACB for its excellent support to the ASEAN Heritage Parks Program which currently includes 40 ASEAN Heritage Parks as well as the organization of several resource mobilization strategies to increase existing capital funds for biodiversity conservation initiatives, including the ASEAN Biodiversity Fund.

97. We congratulated the ACB for publishing the second edition of the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook, a midpoint assessment on how the region has fared in implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and contributed to the attainment of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. We recognized 10 outstand- ing individuals who have achieved so much for biodiversity in their respective countries and in ASEAN through the ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes Award.

Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (COP AATHP)

98. We reiterated our commitment to fully and effectively implement the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) and the Roadmap on ASEAN Cooperation towards Transboundary Haze Pollution Control with Means of Implementation to achieve a HazeFree ASEAN by 2020. We agreed to conduct a mid-term review of the implementation of the Roadmap to take stock of the progress and sustain momentum in ensuring demonstrable improvements. We also appreciated Indonesia’s efforts in addressing transboundary haze pollution in the region.

99. We welcomed the progress - lishment Agreement and Host Country Agreement of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) in Indonesia. We looked forward to the operationalization of ACC THPC as part of the full and effective implementation of the AATHP.

100. We noted the endorsement of the Chiang Rai 2017 Plan of Action to identify a common set of priorities for the implementation of the Roadmap, and encouraged further collaboration among Mekong Sub-Region countries and synergies with other initiatives under AATHP.

ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC)

101. We adopted the Joint Statement on Promoting Women, Peace and commitments to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls, and to ensure gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, towards realizing an inclusive, people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN Community.

102. We commended the progress of cooperation in combating traf and children and looked forward to the completion of Regional Multisectoral Guidelines and Procedures to Address the Needs of TIP Victims in accordance with the ASEAN Persons Especially Women and Children (ACTIP). We noted the initiative on promoting legislation to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation in ASEAN Member States, in line with the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children.

103. We took note of recently Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) such as the AICHR-ACWC Training Workshop on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the report on Institutional Strengthening of the ACWC, International Workshop and International Conference on Diversion Through Restorative Justice, and the Regional Workshop for Promoting Comprehensive and Harmonized National Legislation aimed at Preventing and Combating Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) in ASEAN Member States. We took note of the ACWC Work the areas of eliminating child marriage; awareness raising campaign on social impact of climate change on women and children; women, peace, and security; and women economic empowerment.

Sexual Offenses Against Children

104. We recognized the need to also focus on the issue of sexual offenses against children, which is a violation of children’s rights. We noted Malaysia’s initiative to convene an ASEAN Seminar on Sexual Offenses Against Children in July 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, which aims to increase awareness and develop better understanding among ASEAN states on the magnitude and nature of sexual crimes against children.