Multilateralizing Asian Regionalism Conference
Post-event Statement
ADBI and the Center for Trade and Economic Integration of the Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies co-organized a two day conference on "Multilateralizing Asian Regionalism" at ADBI on 18-19 September 2008. The conference discussed issues of measuring Asian economic integration through trade and foreign direct investment; the state of and challenges for Asian free trade agreements; the extent of the effectiveness of the Asian noodle bowl agreements; lessons from the Western Hemisphere and European spaghetti bowls; and ideas for solutions, including multilateralizing Asian regionalism, using the Free Trade Agreement of Asia-Pacific as an alternative, and an Asia-Europe FTA. Read the papers and presentations. |
Background
This conference will address ADBI's strategic priority of regional cooperation. Developing Asia is the world's most dynamic region in terms of growth of incomes, trade and foreign direct investment. It is also experiencing a rapid growth of the number of regional trade agreements. ADB estimates that there are around 160 FTAs in Asia at various stages including 38 concluded agreements and 40 under negotiation at the end of January 2008. Although the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has emerged as the de facto integration hub for FTAs, the lattice of the trade agreements is highly complex - a veritable noodle bowl for agreements. How can Asia ensure that the region's noodle bowl of FTAs can be consolidated into a single East Asian FTA - a stepping stone toward global integration? The planned conference will address this issue with strategic implications for regional integration thinking and policy formulation. This includes the identification and distillation of good practices, and production of learning methods and related materials.
Outputs
ADBI discussion papers and a book.
Participants
High-level representatives from Japan, United States Trade Representative, European Union, and ASEAN+6 countries.
Language
English Only
Partners
Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI) of the Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.
|
About ADBINews & EventsSpecial ProgramsPartnerships
News and Events
Back to Top
