Introduction
The East Asia Forum (EAF) is an international organization established following a proposal in the reports of the "East Asia Vision Group" (EAVG) and the "East Asia Study Group" (EASG) which were established at the request of the ASEAN+3 Summit. The Korean government took the initiative in establishing the EAF and held the 1st East Asia Forum on December 14-16, 2003 in Seoul, Korea. While the Network of East Asian Think-tanks (NEAT) aims to promote the networking of think-tanks and act as a source of research information among ASEAN+3 countries in order to assist building an “East Asian Community”, EAF assembles business, academia and government representatives at the Track 1.5 (semi-governmental) level from ASEAN+3 countries and provides a knowledge base for regional integration in East Asia.
The 6th East Asia Forum in Laos (October 15-16, 2008)
The 6th East Asian Forum (EAF) was held on October 15- 16, 2008 in Luang Prabang, Laos. In total 67 participants joined the Forum from ASEAN+3 countries, including H.E. Mr. Soulivong Dalavong, Minister of Planning and Investment of Lao PDR and Dr. SOEUNG Rathchavy, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN. Among them, there were 5 participants from Japan, including Mr. KOHNO Masaharu, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Professor SHINDO Eiichi, Professor Emeritus of University of Tsukuba and Vice President of the Council on East Asian Community (CEAC), Mr. MURAKAMI Masayasu, Executive Director of Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) and Executive Vice President of CEAC.
The 5th East Asia Forum in Japan (October 31-November 1, 2007)
The 5th East Asian Forum (EAF) was held from October 31 to November 1, 2007 in Tokyo. The Forum began with the welcome dinner hosted by Mr. KIMURA Hitoshi, Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on October 31st. On November 1, Mr. UNO Osamu, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, made the opening remarks, which were followed by statements from Mr. CHO Jung Pyo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea, and Dr. Soeung RATHCAVY, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat. There were two Sessions, one in the morning followed by another in the afternoon, respectively under the topic of “Enhancing Regional Investment” and “Further Strengthening Environmental Cooperation.” Active discussions took place among the participants at each Session. The Forum ended with the closing remarks by Mr. IHARA Junichi, Deputy Director-General of Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
The 4th East Asia Forum in Siem Reap, Cambodia (November 22, 2006)
The 4th East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on November 22, 2006 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Among the participants of the 4th Forum were, representing Cambodia, Mr. HOR Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. KAO Kim Hourn, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and others, and Mr. ONG Keng Yong, Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat.
The 3rd East Asia Forum in Beijing, China (October 30-31, 2005)
The 3rd East Asia Forum (EAF) was held on October 31, 2005 in Beijing, China with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan giving the opening salutations as representative of the host country. The 3rd Forum was held under the auspices of the China Foreign Affairs University, with President Amb. Wu Jianmin stating that “at the 3rd NEAT Annual Conference in Tokyo, Japan, we compiled policy recommendations which will contribute to formulate the Second Joint Statement at the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN+3 Summit in 2007.”
The 2nd East Asia Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (December 5-6, 2004)
The 2nd East Asia Forum was held on December 5-6, 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Political leaders in East Asia such as Mr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr. KIM Dae-jung, former President of Korea, and Mr. HATA Tsutomu, former Prime Minister of Japan attended the Forum. From the hosting country (Malaysia), Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Mr. Syed Hamid Albar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia both attended the Forum.
The 1st East Asia Forum in Seoul, Korea (December 14-16, 2003)
The 1st East Asia Forum was held on December 14-16, 2003 in Seoul, South Korea. The Japan Forum of International Relations (JFIR) which is the National Focal Point of Japan was represented by Dr. JIMBO Ken, Director of Research. The attendance of Mr. ROH Moo Hyun, President of South Korea, at the opening of the inaugural Forum left a strong impression of enthusiasm for the Forum on the South Korean side, and this mood was further enhanced by the participation of other such high level guests as Mr. KIM Dae-jung, former President of South Korea, Mr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr. Vo Van Kiet, former Prime Minister of Vietnam, and Mr. HATA Tsutomu, former Prime Minister of Japan. At the Forum, the opinion was expressed that an East Asia Summit should be held soon with an eye to creating an East Asian Community, and it was decided to hold the next Forum in Malaysia.
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