Current Affairs » East Asia Summit

East Asia Summit

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is the Indo-Pacific's premier forum for strategic dialogue.

Why in the News?

Recently, the Vice President of India addressed the East Asia Summit.

Key Points of East Asia Summit: Vice President Address

  • Highlighted global concerns on food and energy security.
  • Emphasized the role of the EAS mechanism in promoting free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

East Asian Summit

  • EAS is an ASEAN initiative and refers to the annual Meeting of Heads of State/Governments of these countries.
  • Origin: It was first promoted in 1991 by then-Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad.  
  • Priority Areas: 
    • Energy and Environment
    • Finance
    • Education
    • Natural Disaster Management
    • Global health issues and pandemic diseases
    • ASEAN Connectivity
  • Participation: Apart from the 10 ASEAN member states, the East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Russia.
  • Significance: 
    • Since its formation in 2005, it has played a key role in the strategic and geopolitical evolution of East Asia.
    • It evolved as a forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security, and economic issues of common regional concern. 

News Source: The Indian Express