ASEAN Leaders Vow To Further Promote Moderation

LANGKAWI, (Kedah, Malaysia) April 28 (Bernama) -- ASEAN leaders have vowed to further promote moderation and enhance their cooperation to combat extremism, as well as to stamp out radicalisation. This commitment was contained in their "Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates" issued at the end of the 26th ASEAN Summit Monday. Under the declaration, the leaders also promised to uphold the rule of law in the conduct of relations among states, including in the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the principles of international law. The declaration also called for the continuation of initiatives to share best practices on counter-radicalisation and to tackle the roots of extremism, citing example of the East Asia Summit Symposium of Religious Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration held in Singapore this month. The leaders also agreed to conduct activities to further promote moderation, including by organising outreach programmes, interfaith and cross-cultural dialogues in various formats at the national, regional and international levels. ASEAN leaders also agreed to promote education as a mean to instill respect for life, diversity and the values of moderation, tolerance, non-violence and mutual understanding towards preventing the spread of extremism. The leaders of the 10-member regional grouping agreed to convene the Second International Conference on the Global Movement of Moderates in Kuala Lumpur this year and the Bali Democracy Forum in Indonesia. They also vowed to encourage the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation and the ASEAN Foundation to conduct seminars, workshop and training programmes in collaboration with the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation. ASEAN leaders also called on efforts to strengthen ASEAN's unity and solidarity and its central role in maintaining and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region. They also promised to collaborate with dialogue partners, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders to conduct seminars for the sharing of best practices that support the promotion of moderation. -- BERNAMA