We, the Heads of State/Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China, gathered on 3 November 2019 in Bangkok on the occasion of the 22nd ASEAN-China Summit;
Recognizing the importance of addressing the challenges arising from rapid urbanization and developing a regional smart cities ecosystem to harvest the opportunities associated with the ongoing digital and 4th industrial revolution;
Recognizing the common goals of ASEAN and China to maximize the positive impact of smart cities projects on citizens’ lives, including to build a competitive economy, promote a sustainable environment and a high quality of life, and to minimise the negative impact of urbanisation such as city congestion, water and air pollution, vector-borne diseases, loss of green areas, poverty, lack of mobility and transportation, rising inequalities, urban-rural disparity, insufficient citizen security and safety, and to avoid problems associated with achieving energy conservation as well as the environment;
Reaffirming our commitment to explore science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation and collaboration in areas of mutual interests, including achieving innovation-driven development in areas such as smart city development and support for the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), as stated in the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 adopted at the 21st ASEAN-China Summit on 14 November 2018, and the East Asia Summit Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN Smart Cities adopted at the 13th East Asia Summit on 15 November 2018;
1. Exchange best practices by encouraging relevant administrative authorities, municipal governments and research institutions to strengthen cooperation in smart city policy making and planning, so as to promote the quality and sustainable development of smart cities;
2. Explore cooperation on standards by promoting cooperation in the communication, mutual recognition, development and use of suitable international standards and related policies and conformity assessment schemes, regarding smart city technology industries, key fields of application and integrated solutions; strengthen capacity building for standardization; and explore the application of localized standards, taking into account the specific needs and different priorities as well as different levels of development of each city;
3. Advance technological innovation by exploring facilitation of information exchange on achievements and joint research and innovation opportunities, jointly improve innovative capacity, and actively pursue cooperation in the various fields of smart city development, including digital technology and innovative energy solutions such as renewable energy, energy-efficiency, and clean technology applications;
4. Support private sector collaboration by promoting exchanges of information on capital, technology and projects; actively encouraging cooperation among enterprises, including start-ups, and with relevant regional and international organisations; and exploring the implementation of key projects for smart city cooperation;
5. Strengthen cooperation platforms by making use of the relevant ASEAN sectorals platforms and initiatives, including the ASCN and the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy (ASUS), to facilitate communications, to demonstrate and promote smart city development concepts, advanced technologies and solutions, business models and best practices in various countries; as well as promote partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including multilateral institutions, in mobilising resources and expertise to implement smart cities projects;
6. Encourage the establishment of mutually-beneficial city partnerships between ASEAN cities, in particular ASCN cities, and Chinese cities, such as Nanning, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Jinan, Kunming, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Chengdu, as well as partnerships involving private sector solution providers and other relevant institutions from both sides, including to promote learning and sharing of experiences;
7. Explore opportunities to incorporate cultural linkages between ASEAN and Chinese cities to promote better understanding across cultures and strengthen the people-to-people bonds;
8. Promote capacity building and knowledge sharing by encouraging universities, enterprises and research institutions to conduct training programs; jointly nurturing talent in fields of smart city development; and encouraging exchanges among related government departments, research institutions, enterprises, and other relevant stakeholders to promote the sharing of knowledge, technology and innovative solutions.
Adopted in Bangkok, Thailand, on the Third of November in the Year Two Thousand and Nineteen.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs