WE THE ASEAN MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUTH MATTERS;

Aware that ASEAN was established to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations;

Realising that ASEAN has an important role in promoting regional peace and stability, human development as well as rapid economic growth and industrialisation;

Mindful that the youth of ASEAN represent a large proportion of the ASEAN population and are a vast and dynamic resource for national and regional development;

Recognising the importance of youth participation in the formulation and implementation of national development policies;

Considering the opportunities and facilities available for comprehensive youth development in the region;

Reaffirming the Bangkok Declaration of Principles to Strengthening ASEAN Collaboration on Youth of 1983, the Jakarta Declaration of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth in 1992, Singapore Declaration of 1992, and the Bangkok Summit Declaration of 1995; and

Anticipating the challenges and opportunities of globalisation and its impact on the region's youth.

DO HEREBY DECLARE

First, that the aims of the ASEAN Youth Policy are:

1. To pursue continuous peace and solidarity, progress and prosperity in the ASEAN region through the positive, active and proactive participation of ASEAN youth, in the spirit of ASEAN fraternity;

2. To prepare and empower ASEAN youth to meet the challenges of globalisation in the 21st century: and

3. To actively promote the understanding of sustainable and balanced development among the younger generation.

Second, that to carry out these aims, Member Countries shall be guided by the following strategies:

1. To formulate programmes and activities to strengthen regional solidarity, stability, prosperity and identity;

2. To inculcate the staring of values, responsibilities and a common vision, and ASEAN fraternity among the young generation;

3. To enhance the spiritual, moral and cultural values of the youth in order for them to cope with the future challenges of rapid development and globalisation;

4. To equip the youth with appropriate skills and competencies in order to ensure the region's competitiveness; and

5. To foster the development of leadership, human values, entrepreneurship and communication skills and the spirit of voluntarism.

Third, that the priority areas of concern are:

1. The strengthening of ASEAN awareness;

2. The promotion of human resource development in line with the rapid economic growth of the region;

3. The attainment of equitable and sustainable development;

4. The enhancement of youth-related research and development (R&D) and the sharing of science) technology and information through effective networking;

5. The preservation and promotion of ASEAN cultural forms and values;

6. The promotion of youth development as an integral part of national development; and

7. The promotion of the participation of the NGOs in youth activities.

Fourth, that in implementing the Kuala Lumpur Agenda, there is a need to strengthen national and regional coordination and networking system of the various government, non- government, and other youth organisations.

DONE in Kuala Lumpur on the Seventeenth Day of November in the Tear One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety Seven.

FOR BRUNEI DARUSSALAM:

Pehin Orang Kaya DiGadong Seri Lela Dato Seri
Paduka Haji Awang Hussain bin Pehin Orang Kaya
DiGadong Seri DiRaja Dato Laila Utama Hj Awang
Mohd Yusof
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA:

Hayono Isman
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports

FOR THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC:

Phongsanee Gnouttitham
Deputy Secretary General of the Lao People's
Revolutionary Youth Union

FOR MALAYSIA:

Tan Sri Dato'Haji Muhyiddin b. Hj. Mohd. Yassin
Minister of Youth and Sports

FOR THE UNION OF MYANMAR:

U Than Shwe
Minister for Prime Minister's Officei
and Central Executive Commitee Member of Union
Solidarity and Development Association

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES:

Amina Rasul Bernardo
Presidential Advisor for Youth Affairs
and Chairperson of National Youth Commission

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE:

Koo Tsai Kee
Parliamentary Secretary for National Development

FOR THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND:

Prasit Damrongchal
Permanent Secretary to Prime Minister

FOR THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM:

Vu Trong Kim
Chairman of the Vietnam National Youth Committee