Group disapproves Asean Summit result

A network of Southeast Asian fisheries organizations has expressed dismay at the results of the recently concluded Asean Summit 2011 in Bali, Indonesia.

In a statement, the Southeast Asia Fish for Justice (SeaFish) said that the summit failed to offer real solutions to climate change and environmental degradation while pursuing greater trade liberalization which would only further marginalize the poor sectors in Asean countries.

Arsenio Tanchuling, coordinator of SeaFish, noted that the summit merely commits Asean to “continualy engage in the discussion of climate change at various forums.”

“This is not a solution, it is not even a firm position on the issue of climate change; rather, it is symptomatic of a reluctance to face this issue which is now a very serious threat to our continued existence on the planet,” he said.

Tanchuling said that coastal communities in the region are the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change such as stronger typhoons, more frequent flooding and the degradation of marine ecosystems due to increased acidity and higher temperatures in the seas.

“The Asean leaders should have claimed reparations and restitution of the climate and ecological debt owed by the rich countries to poor countries, because of centuries of carbon emissions and over-exploitation of the latter’s natural resources from the period of colonialism up to the present. The accountability of the rich countries for past and present wrongs and their taking action based on respect for the rights and needs of the majority in the world is fundamental to climate and ecological justice,” he added.

Tanchuling noted that as in the past, the Asean Summit puts too much emphasis on economic growth and regional trade cooperation based on the free trade agenda, which is achieving a freer flow of goods, services and investments across the region.

“But free trade has destructive impact on both the local economies and the environment,” he said.

Tanchuling explained that the opening up of coastal areas to industrial and commercial investments has produced worsening social and environmental costs, especially in Indonesia and the Philippines.

He cited the impact of tourism development in Bali which has not only displaced coastal communities from their homes and livelihoods, but also caused a water crisis that could bring the island to collapse.

“Asean governments have promoted the free trade agenda which would mainly benefit the rich countries. In Indonesia , the Master Plan on the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development 2011-2025 speeds up the inflow of foreign investments while relegating the country to being a supplier of natural resources and raw materials to global capitalist industries,” Tanchuling said.

He pointed out that mining corporations from the US, Europe and other countries have increased their operations in Indonesia and the Philippines, resulting in the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems in both countries due to pollution from mine tailing.

Tanchuling said the lack of serious efforts by both Indonesian and the Philippine governments in mitigating the impacts of mining and other investments that affect the coastal and marine resources.

“We urge Asean as a regional body to reject the free trade agenda and defend their people’s rights and the environment amid the drive of rich countries to control and exploit the natural resources of Asean countries,” Tanchuling said. –Daily Tribune