Economic Conference
The NAECOC Outline of the Minutes of the First Plenary Meeting
25th January 2000, Niigata
The following is an outline of the minutes of the First Plenary Meeting for the Northeast Asia Economic Conference Organizing Committee under the responsibility of the Secretary.
| 1. Date & Time | Tuesday, 25th January 2000, 13:30-17:00 |
| 2. Location | Hotel Niigata, Fuyo room |
3. Outline of the Establishing Meeting for the Northeast Asia Economic Conference Organizing Committee
| (1) | Remark by Mr. Hirayama, Governor of Niigata Prefecture |
| (2) |
The establishment of the Organizing Committee All participants agreed to the establishment of the Organizing Committee. |
| (3) |
The Memorandum of Understanding for the Management of the
Northeast Asia Economic Conference Organizing Committee Draft Memorandum of Understanding was explained by the Secretariat, and participants anonymously agreed to the memorandum (Annex 2). |
| (4) | Selection of Chairperson and Vice-chairpersons, and speeches by them |
4. Outline of the First Plenary Meeting
| (1) | The Basic Policy for the Northeast Asia Economic Conference 2001 in Niigata |
| - | Draft prepared by the Secretariat was basically agreed upon (Annex 3). |
| - | The opinion to add information technology as a subject of discussion at the Northeast Asia Economic Conference 2001 in Niigata was expressed. The Secretariat will decide how to handle this subject. |
| (2) | Activity Plan for 2000 |
| - | Draft prepared by the Secretariat was basically agreed upon (Annex 4). |
| - | It was pointed out that continuity is necessary when the location of the conference moves in the future. In this regard, it was suggested that structure and activities of standing subcommittees are crucial factors. |
| - | It was requested that the date for the Plenary Meeting avoid Tuesdays in the future. |
| (3) | Draft of the Resolution of the Northeast Asia Economic Conference 2000 in Niigata |
| - | The draft was agreed upon under the condition that it could be amended by a moderator of each session and the Secretariat according to discussions at the conference. The adopted resolution is attached. |
| (4) |
Middle-term activity policy of the Northeast Asia Economic Conference
Organizing Committee Participants expressed their opinions as summarized below. |
| - | The establishment of a standing organization has great significance as the first step for the creation of new stage of regional cooperation in Northeast Asia which is originally complementary. There are many examples of regional cooperation or multilateral cooperation in the world. They can be useful for us. |
| - | It is important to regimentate strong efforts in the region by promoting the cooperation among the public and private sectors, with participation from the DPRK and the ROK, which did not participate at the moment, as well as further participation and support from other Northeast Asian countries, especially from central governments, international organizations, the private sector, and NGOs. |
| - | It is necessary to make the Organizing Committee practical and to achieve results. How to implement decisions, including asking the central governments for stronger commitment, must be fully examined. |
| - | Meanwhile, scientific research and analysis are needed to actually resolve problems. The environment and system for research and study should be improved by promoting cooperation among research institutes. In this sense, it is meaningful to establish a standing subcommittee for transportation. |
Subjects which should be discussed in the region or areas for future cooperation were suggested, such as transportation, trade and investment, energy, development finance (including Northeast Asia Development Bank), information technology, telecommunications, tourism, Tumen River area development, as well as social and cultural areas.
