1. Rationale

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was established in 1996 with an aim to provide a platform for the member states to strengthen political, economic and cultural cooperation, to foster political dialogues and tackle global challenges, as well as to promote peace, prosperity and sustainable development between Asia and Europe. With 53 partners from European and Asian countries, ASEM partners account for approximately 60% of the global population, 65% of the global economy, 55% of the global trade, and 75% of global tourism. ASEM plays an important role in enhancing and achieving multi-faceted aspects of cooperation ranging from politics, technology, economy to the buildup of the socio-cultural bond between the two continents.

Cambodia, as the host of the 13^th ASEM Summit, is committing to working hand-in-hand with all ASEM partners to further strengthen solidarity among the member states in pursuing multilateralism and tackling emerging regional and global issues. Adhering to the “Small Country with Big Tasks” notion, the Kingdom has firmly dedicated to seize this platform to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the fields of investment, trade, education and tourism. These commitments has been, nonetheless, hampered by the mounting global health crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, which has imposed the strictest barrier to the global movements, economy, travel, trade, investment and well-being of peoples. As a consequence, the 13^th ASEM Summit originally scheduled for November 2020 in Phnom Penh has been postponed to the mid-2021.

Even so, mutual cooperation between Asia and European countries is still ongoing. Various layers of cooperation and exchanges have been established between the ASEM partners; these include the distribution of medical supplies, medical personnel exchange and most importantly, the exchange of information to safeguard and prevent the spread of this infectious disease. In this vein, despite the enduring negative spillovers and catastrophe posed by this trans-boundary virus, ASEM has still committed to stabilising the global supply chains and rolling out a series of policy with aims to keep the industries and businesses of the two continents afloat.

The above challenges and uncertainties have begged the following questions— what have been impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics and socio-economies of the ASEM member states, the ASEM solidarity and the global multilateralism? What are commonalities and differences of ASEM countries’ responses to the Covid-19 crises? And, how will Cambodia, as the chair of the 13^th ASEM Summit next year, contribute to foster the existing cooperation amidst the looming pandemic crisis? All of these questions will be addressed at Asian Vision Institute’s virtual Panel Discussion on “ASEM During and After Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis”.

2. Objectives

The objectives of the panel discussion are:

• To identify challenges facing ASEM countries during the Covid-19 pandemic;
• To address problems which have potentially affected ASEM in the post pandemic crisis;
• To understand what ASEM has done in finding solutions to the challenges, controlling and containing the spread of the disease, and preparing for future safety precautions;
• To underscore impacts on the COVID-19 pandemic on the solidarity of ASEM partners;
• To seek commonalities and differences in ASEM member states’ responses to the crisis;
• To pinpoint areas of focus Cambodia may potentially contribute to the existing cooperation so as to reverse the crises facing ASEM and the world.

3. Activities

Scholars, policy makers, students, university lecturers and NGOs representatives at local, regional and international levels will be invited to join a panel discussion under the theme of “ASEM During and After COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis” via Zoom on Monday, 07 December 2020 at 09:30-11:30 (Cambodian time).

Themes of Discussion:

1. Introduction to ASEM and prospect on Cambodia’s Chairmanship of ASEM13 Summit;
2. Impacts of COVID-19 on political, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation of ASEM;
3. Impacts of pandemic on solidarity of ASEM and its agenda;
4. Commonalities and differences ASEM partners’ responses to the Covid-19 multi-pronged crises;
5. Challenges and opportunities for Cambodia; and
6. Ways forward and recommendations for Cambodia and ASEM

4. Expected Outcomes

• This panel discussion will enhance knowledge of students/researchers/policy makers who are currently of interest in Asian and European studies;
• Participants will be able to identify the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic of ASEM’s working agenda and solidarity;
• Attendees will gain more understanding of commonalities and differences in policy making and achievements recorded by the ASEM members;
• Challenges and opportunities for Cambodia, as the host country of the 13^th ASEM Summit, will be highlighted;
• Potential areas of focus which Cambodia may contribute to the existing ASEM cooperation will be identified.

5. Tentative Programme

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Monday, 7 December 2020, 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Phnom Penh Time)
Topic: “ASEM During and After COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis”

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83613577658
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16465588656,,83613577658# or +16699009128,,83613577658#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 836 1357 7658
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdSjHCkURC