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About EAMF

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Background Information on the EAMF

The Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) brings together government officials, scholars, and experts from participating countries to discuss key maritime issues of mutual interest and concern. As an expansion of the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF), the EAMF provides added value to the AMF’s efforts in promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region’s maritime domain. 

The EAMF has an important role to play as a Track 1.5 platform in promoting maritime cooperation in the region through constructive dialogue and consultations, supporting ASEAN’s broader goals of Community-building and regional stability. Since its establishment in 2012, it has served as a mechanism to address regional maritime issues in a holistic and integrated approach through the exchange of ideas and the sharing of information on a wide array of maritime issues. Among others, these include the 1982 UNCLOS, maritime connectivity, maritime security and safety, marine pollution, IUU fishing, and the protection of marine ecosystems. 

At present, there are 18 members, comprising ten ASEAN Member States, along with Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States. Timor-Leste participates as an Observer, in line with its observership status in ASEAN.

Objectives of the EAMF: 

  1. Creating a venue for ASEAN to engage its stakeholders, Dialogue Partners, and other external parties in dialogue on important maritime issues;
  2. Generating ideas and inputs for the further development of maritime cooperation in ASEAN and in the wider region;
  3. Developing practical maritime cooperation activities in support of ASEAN’s community-building by involving and learning from relevant interested parties with the appropriate know-how; and
  4. Mobilising capacity-building assistance in all relevant maritime issues for ASEAN across its three Community pillars.

EAMF Participants

The current members of the EAMF are, as follows: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States. 

EAMF Chair

The EAMF is chaired by the ASEAN Chair for the year. For 2025, the EAMF Chair is, as follows:

H.E. Dato’ Sri Amran Mohamed Zin
Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ASEAN-Malaysia SOM Leader

Directory of EAMF Participants Focal Points

 [not yet available. For further discussion]

ASEAN Maritime Outlook

As a region bridging the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Southeast Asia’s maritime domain is one of the busiest marine corridors in the world. Its coastal and marine environments are world famous for their biodiversity and a source of livelihood for millions of people, through centuries-old practice such as fishing, and modern-day industries, including oil and gas, renewable energy and tourism. The strategic importance of its maritime domain has grown significantly over time, evolving from a historical crossroads of trade and culture into a central player in the global economy. ASEAN is currently the world’s fifth largest economy and is projected to become the fourth by 2030. It is also home to some of the leading exporting and fish-producing nations. The region’s critical sea lines of communication, including the Malacca, Singapore, and Lombok Straits, as well as the South China Sea, are vital to maintaining global supply chains. The maritime domain is thus integral to ASEAN’s strategic, economic, political, and social development.

The first edition of the ASEAN Maritime Outlook was launched on 1 August 2023 at the 13thASEAN Maritime Forum in Bali, Indonesia. The ASEAN Maritime Outlook 2023 takes stock of the ongoing cooperation efforts undertaken by ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, mechanisms, and processes dealing with various aspects of maritime-related issues. This publication serves as a practical reference in understanding maritime trends and challenges in the region, strengthens synergies, and guides ASEAN to avoid duplication of efforts among relevant mechanisms, bodies, and processes. The Outlook will be issued every three years, with the next edition to be launched in 2026.

AMO-1.pdf