CEBU - They may be overused clichés, but organizers of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit still used them in describing the conclave that ended yesterday here as "highly successful," and the thrusts of ASEAN "within reach."

Event host President Gloria Arroyo said at the opening of the ASEAN Plus Three Meet, or with so-called "dialog partners" China, Japan and the Republic of Korea Sunday that, "Prospects are bright that the vision of 'One Caring and Sharing Community,'" would become a reality. In effect, she categorically dismissed the idea that the 39-year-old ASEAN has become a toothless organization, a sharp contrast to what it now envisions to become as "rules-based" or a cohesive solidarity among member economies, imposing binding sanctions against stubborn members.

Yesterday's kickoff of the 2nd East Asia Summit and the signing of the Declaration on East Asian Energy Security were the last two official events that capped the summit, that had been shelved earlier due to typhoon "Seniang."

Before flying back to Manila yesterday afternoon, she met with the press an hour before schedule at the main briefing room of the controversy-laden Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City , which lasted about 30 minutes. With the ASEAN moving forward in creating a Charter, she said the region is in "a pace never seen before" to bring about peace and stability and prosperity, common security, robust open trade, and a world of goodwill of all creed and colors.

She said the Summit forged a more concretized alliance focusing on the protection of human rights, economic stability, and advancement of social justice.

"The people of Asia are the victors of this summit," she stressed, adding that the participating leaders dedicated their gathering towards achieving a safer world, and a realm of human security.

Present at the summit were leaders and foreign and economic ministers of 10 ASEAN countries, their six dialog partners, and special participation of Timor Leste.

The presence of these leaders is a testament of their desire for people-oriented and better collaboration among nations envisioning social justice, economic development, common security, and better prepared to face challenges, and making ASEAN reach out to the grassroots, she said.

Arroyo said the recommendations of the Eminent Persons Group - principally for the establishment of the ASEAN Charter - were aimed at making the region as having "One vision, one identity, one community, and one union within ASEAN."

She also cited vital documents signed during the summit, particularly that for the protection of the rights of migrants workers especially nurses, that they be able to live decent, humane and dignified lives.

SECURITY

On security, the pact on counter-terrorism was geared toward providing a framework on regional cooperation to suppress terrorism, provide (security) training, and intelligence sharing and networking among states.

She disclosed that leaders also urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear program and accede to the United Nations Resolutions 1695 and 1719, condemning terrorism and use of nuclear arms.

They also urged North Korea to respond to security and humanitarian concerns, including the abductions issue.

Arroyo , Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian Prime Minister John Howard, were on the same flight schedule.

All heads of states and governments, along with their contingent, were to leave the country from 2 to 7:50 p.m., with some of them tendered the traditional Official Farewell by the leader of the host nation.

BIO-FUELS ACT GETS BOOST

Meanwhile, the Bio-Fuels Act signed by President Arroyo earlier this week got a major boost when the 16 state leaders inked yesterday the seven-page Declaration on East Asian Energy Security which stressed the need to strengthen programs to develop renewable energy sources such as bio-fuels and hydropower.

"Fossil fuels underpin our economies, and will be an enduring reality in our lifetimes," the ASEAN head of states and their counterparts from six dialog partners decreed.

They declared to work hand-in-hand closely to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of fossil fuel use; reduce dependence on conventional fuels through intensified energy efficiency and conservation programs; expansion of renewable energy systems and bio-fuel production and utilization; and for interested parties, civilian nuclear power.

The population of the 16 participating countries comprise more than half of the world's. China and India alone have a combined population of almost three billion, while ASEAN has 467 million as of 2005.*GCT

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