On 18 and 19 October, I will attend the 12th Summit of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels.
ASEM is the key forum for dialogue between countries and regional institutions in Asia and Europe. ASEM’s 53 members account for 63 per cent of global GDP, 60 per cent of the world’s population and 55 per cent of global trade.
The theme of this year’s summit is Global Partners for Global Challenges. Discussions will cover ASEM’s three pillars: political and security; economic and financial; and social and cultural.
The agenda is focussed on the rules-based international order, trade liberalisation and multilateralism. Security issues for discussion will include North Korea, Iran, maritime security including the South China Sea, counter-terrorism, and cyber security. The ASEM agenda also provides a focus on promoting gender equality.
During my visit I will also meet with several counterparts and leaders including the host, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini and Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
