1. The 5th Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affair Divisions of the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM) was held in Singapore from 3 to 5 September 2001. The Meeting was chaired by Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director, Singapore Immigration and Registration (SIR)
2. The respective ASEAN delegations were led by Mr Sa Bali Abas,Director, Department of Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Darussalam; Pol. Brig. Gen. Yun Chhunny, Director of Immigration Department, Cambodia; Mr M Iman Santoso, Director-General of Immigration, Indonesia; Pol. Col. Khammouane Savaivanh, Director-General, Department of Immigration, Lao PDR; Dato’ Mohd Jamal Kamdi, Director-General of Immigration, Malaysia; Mr Zaw Tun, Deputy Director-General, Immigration and National Registration Department, Myanmar; Hon. Andrea D. Domingo, Commissioner of Immigration, Philippines; Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director, SIR; Pol. Lt. Gen. Hemaraj Thareethai, Commissioner of Immigration Bureau, Thailand; Mr Vu Thanh Binh, Deputy Director-General, Immigration Department, Viet Nam; and Dato’ Ahmad Mokhtar Selat, Deputy Secretary-General, ASEAN Secretariat.
3. In his Opening Remarks, Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director, SIR expressed his confidence that the discussions during the 5th DGICM would bring all Member Countries closer to the realisation of the goals and priorities set out in the ASEAN Vision 2020. He added that in the process of communication and consensus-building, the DGICM would continue to forge and strengthen the ASEAN spirit, as members work towards shared goals and objectives for regional peace, security and prosperity in ASEAN.
4. The Heads of Delegation, in their statements at the Meeting, also reiterated their commitment to further enhance regional cooperation on immigration and consular matters.
ASEAN Plan of Action on Immigration Matters
5. As a first step towards greater sharing and exchange of information, all Member Countries agreed to consider linking the websites of the various ASEAN immigration authorities through the creation of hyperlinks from the ASEAN Secretariat website. The general public would also benefit from this comprehensive, one-stop information channel.
6. Furthermore, all Member Countries agreed to consider exchange of information on confidential and vital immigration matters.
Exchange of Views on Irregular Migration and a Regional Approach in Combating Trafficking in Persons
7. The 5th DGICM held an Exchange of Views on irregular migration and a regional approach for combating trafficking in persons, especially women and children. The meeting noted that in the era of globalisation, the issue of trafficking in persons has become more significant. Future plans include the drafting of an ASEAN Declaration Against Trafficking in Persons, in particular Women and Children.
Use of Smart Card to Facilitate Travel within ASEAN
8. The 5th DGICM agreed that the use of Smart Card would facilitate travel clearance within ASEAN and has recommended that countries that are ready, could implement it on a bilateral basis first. The lessons learnt, experience gathered and best practices could then be shared with other Member Countries for consideration for implementation.
ASEAN Immigration and Consular Directory
9. The ASEAN Immigration and Consular Directory (AICD) was updated by Singapore, the host country and made available to the immigration authorities of all Member Countries. The AICD is a directory of immigration and consular focal points for a network among the immigration and consular authorities in ASEAN. For the first time, the AICD would be available in CD ROM format.
Next Meeting
10. The 6th DGICM will be held in Bangkok, Thailand in the second half of next year.
Acknowledgements
11.The 5th DGICM expressed their deepest appreciation to the Government and people of Singapore, especially the officials of Singapore, for their warm hospitality and arrangements made for the Meeting.
12.The Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN solidarity and cordiality
