View source for East Asia Summit

{{Short description|Annual ASEAN meeting since 2005}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
[[File:Member and candidate states of the East Asian Summit.svg|300px|thumb|Map of EAS members and candidates
{{legend|#050554|Original Members}}
{{legend|#32a507|Members from the 6th EAS}}
{{legend|#cc883e|Candidates}}]]
[[File:A session of the 10th East Asia Summit (EAS).png|thumb|right|upright=1.15|A session of the 10th East Asia Summit, 2015.]]

The '''East Asia Summit''' ('''EAS''') is a regional forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the [[East Asia]]n, [[Southeast Asia]]n, [[South Asia]]n and [[Oceania]]n regions, based on the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations#ASEAN Plus Three and ASEAN Plus Six|ASEAN Plus Six mechanism]]. Membership expanded to 18 countries including [[Russia]] and the [[United States]] at the [[Sixth East Asia Summit|Sixth EAS]] in 2011. Since its establishment, [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]] has held the central role and leadership in the forum. EAS meetings are held after the annual ASEAN leaders' meetings, and plays an important role in the regional architecture of [[Asia-Pacific]]. The first summit was held in [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]] on 14 December 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sgdirectory.com/places-of-interest/|title=Places of Interest Archives}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About {{!}} EAS {{!}} ASEAN India |url=http://mea.gov.in/aseanindia/about-eas.htm |website=mea.gov.in |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
=== History prior to the first East Asia Summit ===
The concept of an East Asia Grouping has significant history going back to an idea first promoted in 1991 by then Malaysian Prime Minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]].

The final report in 2002 of the East Asian Study Group, established by the [[ASEAN Free Trade Area#ASEAN Plus Three|ASEAN Plus Three]] countries, was based on an EAS involving ASEAN Plus Three, therefore not involving [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], or [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aseansec.org/viewpdf.asp?file=/pdf/easg.pdf|title=Report of the East Asian Study Group|website=aseansec.org|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708020825/http://www.aseansec.org/viewpdf.asp?file=%2Fpdf%2Feasg.pdf|archive-date=8 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The EAS as proposed was to be an [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]]-led development, with the [[Summit (meeting)|summit]] to be linked to [[ASEAN Summit|ASEAN summit meetings]]. However, the issue was to which countries beyond those in ASEAN the EAS was to be extended.

The decision to hold the EAS was reached during the 2004 ASEAN Plus Three summit and the initial 16 members determined at the ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting held in [[Laos]] at the end of July 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed081805a.cfm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060603004508/http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed081805a.cfm|url-status=unfit|title=First appeared in The Asian Wall Street Journal – Watching the East Asia Summit|archivedate=3 June 2006}}</ref>

Credit for advancing the forum during the 2004 ASEAN Plus Three summit has been attributed to [[Malaysia]].<ref name="discord">{{cite web|url=http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/east-asia-summit-more-discord-accord|title=The East Asia Summit: More Discord than Accord – YaleGlobal Online|website=yaleglobal.yale.edu|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414122413/http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/east-asia-summit-more-discord-accord|archive-date=14 April 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Annual summits===
{| class="wikitable"  
! #
! Date        
! Country
! Host 
! Host leader
! Note
|-
| [[First East Asia Summit|'''1st''']]
| 14 December 2005
| {{flag|Malaysia}} 
| [[Kuala Lumpur]]
| Prime Minister [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]]
| Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] attended the summit as guest.
|-
| [[Second East Asia Summit|'''2nd''']]
| 15 January 2007  
| {{flag|Philippines}} 
| [[Mandaue]]
| President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]]
| Rescheduled from 13 December 2006 due to [[Typhoon Utor (2006)|Typhoon Seniang]]. <br />[[Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security]]
|-
| [[Third East Asia Summit|'''3rd''']]
| 21 November 2007
| {{flag|Singapore}}
| Singapore
| Prime Minister [[Lee Hsien Loong]]
| Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment<ref name=autogenerated1>{{usurped|1=[http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120513210651/http://www.aseansec.org/21116.htm Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment]}}</ref><br />Agreed to establish [[Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia]]
|-
| [[Fourth East Asia Summit|'''4th''']]
| 25 October 2009
| {{flag|Thailand}} 
| [[Cha-am]] & [[Hua Hin]]
| Prime Minister [[Abhisit Vejjajiva]]
| Thailand was initially to host the summit in 2008. It was announced in late October 2008 that the summit would be shifted from [[Bangkok]] to [[Chiang Mai]] due to concerns about political unrest in [[Bangkok]].<ref>[http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20081029/tap-thailand-protest-politics-asean-summ-c8d5519.html]{{dead link|date=September 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
|-
| [[Fifth East Asia Summit|'''5th''']]
| 30 October 2010
| {{flag|Vietnam}} 
| [[Hanoi]]
| President [[Nguyễn Minh Triết]]
| The [[United States Secretary of State]] and the [[Foreign Minister of Russia]] attended. The [[United States]] and [[Russia]] to join the summit at the [[Sixth East Asia Summit|Sixth EAS]].
|-
| [[Sixth East Asia Summit|'''6th''']]
| 18–19 November 2011
| {{flag|Indonesia}} 
| [[Bali]]
| President [[Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono]]
| The [[United States]] and [[Russia]] joined the summit.
|-
| [[Seventh East Asia Summit|'''7th''']]
| 19–20 November 2012
| {{flag|Cambodia}} 
| [[Phnom Penh]]
| Prime Minister [[Hun Sen]]
| The ongoing tensions arising from the [[territorial disputes in the South China Sea]] and [[East China Sea#EEZ disputes|East China Sea]] overshadowed the effort to advance the trade and economic arrangements between members of the summit.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/20/obama-asian-leaders-tensions|title=Obama urges Asian leaders to step back from territorial disputes|first=Tania|last=Branigan|date=20 November 2012|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022031/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/20/obama-asian-leaders-tensions|archive-date=7 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
| [[Eighth East Asia Summit|'''8th''']]
| 9–10 October 2013
| {{flag|Brunei}} 
| [[Bandar Seri Begawan]]
| Sultan [[Hassanal Bolkiah]]
|
|-
| [[Ninth East Asia Summit|'''9th''']]
| 12–13 November 2014
| {{flag|Myanmar}} (Burma) 
| [[Nay Pyi Taw]]
| President [[Thein Sein]]
|
|-
| [[Tenth East Asia Summit|'''10th''']]
| 21–22 November 2015
| {{flag|Malaysia}} 
| [[Kuala Lumpur]]
| Prime Minister [[Najib Razak]]
| 
|-
| [[Eleventh East Asia Summit|'''11th''']]
| 6–8 September 2016
| {{flag|Laos}} 
| [[Vientiane]]
| Prime Minister [[Thongloun Sisoulith]]
| 
|-
| [[Twelfth East Asia Summit|'''12th''']]
| 13–14 November 2017
| {{flag|Philippines}} 
| [[Pasay]]
| President [[Rodrigo Duterte]]
| [[Prime Minister of Canada|Canadian Prime Minister]] [[Justin Trudeau]] attended the summit as a guest.
|-
| [[Thirteenth East Asia Summit|'''13th''']]
| 14–15 November 2018
| {{flag|Singapore}}
| Singapore
| Prime Minister [[Lee Hsien Loong]]
| Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] attended the event.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.connectedtoindia.com/singapore-to-host-13th-east-asia-summit-in-november-3825.html|title=Singapore to host 13th East Asia Summit in November|date=23 March 2018|work=Connected to India|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| [[Fourteenth East Asia Summit|'''14th''']]
| 4 November 2019
| {{flag|Thailand}}
| [[Bangkok]]
| Prime Minister [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]]
|
|-
| [[Fifteenth East Asia Summit|'''15th''']]
| 14 November 2020
| {{flag|Vietnam}}
| [[Hanoi]] ''(as Chair's venue)''
| Prime Minister [[Nguyễn Xuân Phúc]]
| The summit was held online due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Asia|COVID-19 pandemic]] and hosted by Vietnam, where the summit was initially scheduled to take place.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ha Noi Declaration on the 15th Anniversary of the East Asia Summit |url=https://asean.org/ha-noi-declaration-15th-anniversary-east-asia-summit/ |access-date=November 19, 2020 |work=Association of Southeast Asian Nations |date=November 15, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sixteenth East Asia Summit|'''16th''']]
| 26–27 October 2021
| {{flag|Brunei}}
| [[Bandar Seri Begawan]] ''(as Chair's venue)''
| Sultan [[Hassanal Bolkiah]]
| The summit was held online due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Asia|COVID-19 pandemic]] and hosted by Brunei, where the summit was initially scheduled to take place. Since 2021, Myanmar [[State Administration Council|junta leaders]] have been excluded from the summit following the [[2021 Myanmar coup d'état|2021 coup d'état]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-asia-myanmar-global-trade-southeast-asia-1d13990a105ed6e79fb04beb70f978ef |title=ASEAN downgrades Myanmar presence in summit in major rebuke |last=Ng |first=Eileen |date=16 October 2021 |website= |publisher=AP News |access-date=16 October 2021 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/asean-chair-brunei-confirms-junta-leader-not-invited-summit-2021-10-16/ |title=ASEAN excludes Myanmar junta leader from summit in rare move |last=Bandial |first=Ain |date=16 October 2021 |website= |publisher=Reuters |access-date=16 October 2021 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/16/asia/asean-excludes-myanmar-junta-intl-hnk/index.html |title=Myanmar junta 'extremely disappointed' over leader's exclusion from ASEAN summit |last=Wang |first=Philip |date=16 October 2021 |website= |publisher=CNN |access-date=16 October 2021 |quote=}}</ref>
|-
| [[Seventeenth East Asia Summit|'''17th''']]
| 12–13 November 2022
| {{flag|Cambodia}}
| [[Phnom Penh]]
| Prime Minister [[Hun Sen]]
| The [[European Union]] and [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] attended the summit as guests.
|-
| [[Eighteenth East Asia Summit|'''18th''']]
| 6–7 September 2023
| {{flag|Indonesia}}
| [[Jakarta]]
| President [[Joko Widodo]]
| 
|-
| [[Nineteenth East Asia Summit|'''19th''']]
| 10–11 October 2024
| {{flag|Laos}}
| [[Vientiane]]
| Prime Minister [[Sonexay Siphandone]]
| 
|-
| [[Twentieth East Asia Summit|'''20th''']]
| 2025
| {{flag|Malaysia}}
| [[Kuala Lumpur]]
| Prime Minister [[Anwar Ibrahim]]
|  
|-
| [[Twenty-first East Asia Summit|'''21st''']]
| 2026
| {{flag|Philippines}}
| [[Manila]]
| President [[Bongbong Marcos]]
| 
|}

===Early summits===
{{Main|First East Asia Summit|Second East Asia Summit}}
Prior to the first meeting there was significant discussion as to which countries should be represented.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=76332|title= Mahathir blasts Australia over summit |website=Nine MSN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619183728/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=76332 |archive-date=19 June 2006 |access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref> At the time there were difficulties in the relationship between the "Plus Three" members (i.e. Japan, China and South Korea) of [[ASEAN Free Trade Area#ASEAN Plus Three|ASEAN Plus Three]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bowring.net/easiasummit.htm|title=An Asian Union? Not yet – Editorials & Commentary – International Herald Tribune|first=Philip|last=Bowring|website=bowring.net|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181030/http://www.bowring.net/easiasummit.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and the perception that India and Australia and to a lesser extent New Zealand were present to balance the growing China power<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200512/07/eng20051207_226350.html|title=People's Daily Online – East Asia Summit: in the shadow of sharp divisions|last=|website=english.people.com.cn|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009013107/http://english.people.com.cn/200512/07/eng20051207_226350.html|archive-date=9 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> all meant the first meeting's achievements were limited.  Russia expressed early interest in EAS membership and attended the first EAS as an observer at the invitation of 2005 EAS host Malaysia.

The next EAS was to be held on 13 December 2006 in [[Metro Cebu]], Philippines.  After the confidence building of the inaugural EAS the 2006 EAS will help to define the future role of the EAS, its relationship with ASEAN Plus Three and the involvement of Russia in EAS.  However, in the face of Tropical [[2006 Pacific typhoon season#Typhoon Utor (Seniang)|Typhoon Utor]] the summit was postponed until January 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2006/12/13/asean.summit.shelved.effectively..html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101130705/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2006/12/13/asean.summit.shelved.effectively..html|url-status=dead|title=Sun Star – Asean summit shelved 'effectively'?|website=[[SunStar]] |archivedate=1 January 2007}}</ref> It was rescheduled for 15 January 2007, approximately a month after the original scheduled date.

===Internal issues===
{{Main|Third East Asia Summit|Fourth East Asia Summit}}
Internal [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]] issues were significant for the next Summits.  The issues of [[Myanmar]] (Burma), following the [[Saffron Revolution|2007 Burmese anti-government protests]], and [[climate change]] were expected to be discussed at the Third EAS.  Myanmar successfully blocked formal discussion of its internal affairs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/312568_51/1/.html|title=ASEAN stands ready to help Myanmar: Singapore PM Lee|website=Channel News Asia|access-date=7 May 2018|archive-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014201428/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/312568_51/1/.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The summit did issue the Singapore Declaration on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

The Summit also agreed to the establishment of the [[Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia]] and to receive the final report on the [[Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia]] at the [[Fourth East Asia Summit|Fourth EAS]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aseansec.org/21127.htm|title=Chairman's Statement of the 3rd East Asia Summit Singapore, 21 November 2007 – Paragraphs 13 and 14|website=aseansec.org|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521115217/http://www.aseansec.org/21127.htm|archive-date=21 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The outcomes are summarised in the {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130521115217/http://www.aseansec.org/21127.htm Chairman's Statement of the 3rd East Asia Summit Singapore, 21 November 2007.]}}

The [[Fourth East Asia Summit|Fourth EAS]] was significantly delayed and its location changed a number of times due to internal tensions in Thailand, the host nation. In the lead up to the summit there were several [[Cambodian–Thai border dispute#April 2009|border clashes]] between Thailand and Cambodia. The summit however is said to be used as an opportunity for discussions on the sidelines between the respective nation's leaders.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/world/22368-thai-cambodian-pms-to-meet-to-defuse-tension |title=Thai, Cambodian PMS to meet to defuse tension |access-date=2009-04-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412100354/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/world/22368-thai-cambodian-pms-to-meet-to-defuse-tension |archive-date=12 April 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The summit was cancelled following protesters taking over the summit's venue on the day of the summit.<ref name="edition.cnn.com">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/12/thailand.protests/index.html|title=Thai riot police clash with protesters.com|publisher=CNN|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224219/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/12/thailand.protests/index.html|archive-date=3 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was rescheduled and held on 25 October 2009. The summit adopted statements on disaster relief and the [[Nalanda University]].

===Growth of the Summit===
{{Main|Fifth East Asia Summit|Sixth East Asia Summit|Seventh East Asia Summit}}
After a period of review, the Summit grew from 16 to 18 nations by adding the United States and Russia to the Summit.  Initially represented by their Foreign Ministers at the Fifth EAS, the two new members were invited to formally join with the Sixth EAS.  Tensions between the members of the Summit continued to impede the members developing a more ambitious program.

== Member nations ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Countries
!Official Name in English
!Capital City
!Leader Position
!Head of Government
!Head of State
|-
|{{Flag|Australia}}
|Commonwealth of Australia
|[[Canberra]]
|[[Prime Minister of Australia]]
|[[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[Anthony Albanese]]
|[[Charles III]], [[King of Australia]]
|-
|{{Flag|Brunei}}
|Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace 
|[[Bandar Seri Begawan]]
|[[Sultan of Brunei]]
| colspan="2" |[[Hassanal Bolkiah]], [[Sultan of Brunei]]
|-
|{{Flag|Cambodia}}
|Kingdom of Cambodia
|[[Phnom Penh]]
|[[Prime Minister of Cambodia]]
|[[Prime Minister of Cambodia|Prime Minister]] [[Hun Manet]]
|[[Norodom Sihamoni]], [[King of Cambodia]]
|-
|{{Flag|China}}
|People's Republic of China
|[[Beijing]]
|[[Premier of the People's Republic of China]]
|[[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Premier]] [[Li Qiang]]
|[[Xi Jinping]], [[President of the People's Republic of China|President of China]] and [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|CCP General Secretary]]<ref name="CHNheadofgov">The ''de jure'' [[head of government]] of China is the [[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Premier]], whose current holder is [[Li Qiang]]. The [[President of the People's Republic of China|President of China]] is legally a [[figurehead|ceremonial office]], but the [[paramount leader]] has always held this office since 1993 except for the months of [[Succession of power in the People's Republic of China|transition]], and the current paramount leader is President [[Xi Jinping]].</ref>
|-
|{{Flag|India}}
|Republic of India
|[[New Delhi]]
|[[Prime Minister of India]]
|[[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]]
|[[Droupadi Murmu]], [[President of India]]
|-
|{{Flag|Indonesia}}
|Republic of Indonesia
|[[Jakarta]]
|[[President of Indonesia]]
| colspan="2" |[[Prabowo Subianto]], [[President of Indonesia]]
|-
|{{Flag|Japan}}
|Japan
|[[Tokyo]]
|[[Prime Minister of Japan]]
|[[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Shigeru Ishiba]]
|[[Naruhito]], [[Emperor of Japan]]
|-
|{{Flag|Laos}}
|Lao People's Democratic Republic
|[[Vientiane]]
|[[Prime Minister of Laos]]
|[[Prime Minister of Laos|Prime Minister]] [[Sonexay Siphandone]]
|[[Thongloun Sisoulith]], [[President of Laos]]
|-
|{{Flag|Malaysia}}
|Malaysia
|[[Kuala Lumpur]]
|[[Prime Minister of Malaysia]]
|[[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Prime Minister]] [[Anwar Ibrahim]]
|[[Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor]], [[Yang di-Pertuan Agong]] (Monarch)
|-
|{{Flag|Myanmar}}
|Republic of the Union of Myanmar
|[[Naypyidaw]]
|[[Prime Minister of Myanmar]]
| colspan="2" |[[Prime Minister of Myanmar|Prime Minister]] [[Min Aung Hlaing]], ''acting'' [[President of Myanmar]]
|-
|{{Flag|New Zealand}}
|New Zealand
|[[Wellington]]
|[[Prime Minister of New Zealand]]
|[[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] [[Christopher Luxon]]
|[[Charles III]], [[King of New Zealand]]
|-
|{{Flag|Philippines}}
|Republic of the Philippines
|[[Manila]]
|[[President of the Philippines]]
| colspan="2" |[[Bongbong Marcos]], [[President of the Philippines]]
|-
|{{Flag|Russia}}
|Russian Federation
|[[Moscow]]
|[[Prime Minister of Russia]]
|[[Prime Minister of Russia|Prime Minister]] [[Mikhail Mishustin]]
|[[Vladimir Putin]], [[President of Russia]]
|-
|{{Flag|Singapore}}
|Republic of Singapore
|[[Singapore]]
|[[Prime Minister of Singapore]]
|[[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]] [[Lawrence Wong]]
|[[Tharman Shanmugaratnam]], [[President of Singapore]]
|-
|{{Flag|South Korea}}
|Republic of Korea
|[[Seoul]]
|[[President of South Korea]]
|colspan="2" |[[Lee Jae-myung]], [[President of South Korea]]
|-
|{{Flag|Thailand}}
|Kingdom of Thailand
|[[Bangkok]]
|[[Prime Minister of Thailand]]
|[[Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister]] [[Paetongtarn Shinawatra]]
|[[Vajiralongkorn]] (Rama X), [[King of Thailand]]
|-
|{{Flag|United States}}
|United States of America
|[[Washington, D.C.]]
|[[President of the United States]]
| colspan="2" |[[Donald Trump]], [[President of the United States]]
|-
|{{Flag|Vietnam}}
|Socialist Republic of Vietnam
|[[Hanoi]]
|[[Prime Minister of Vietnam]]
|[[Prime Minister of Vietnam|Prime Minister]] [[Phạm Minh Chính]]
|[[Lương Cường]], [[President of Vietnam]]
|}

===Current leaders of the East Asia Summit===
<gallery class="center" widths="145">
File:Anthony Albanese portrait (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|AUS}} '''[[Australia]]'''<br /> [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] '''[[Anthony Albanese]]'''
File:His Majesty Bolkiah 20231216.jpg|{{flagicon|BRU}} '''[[Brunei]]'''<br /> [[Sultan of Brunei|Sultan]] '''[[Hassanal Bolkiah]]'''
File:Hun Manet on May 30, 2025 (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|CAM}} '''[[Cambodia]]'''<br /> [[Prime Minister of Cambodia|Prime Minister]] '''[[Hun Manet]]'''
File:Li Qiang (2024) (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|CHN}} '''[[China]]'''<br />[[Premier of the People's Republic of China|Premier]] '''[[Li Qiang]]'''
File:Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India (crop).jpg|{{flagicon|IND}} '''[[India]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] '''[[Narendra Modi]]'''
File:Prabowo Subianto 2024 official portrait.jpg|{{flagicon|IDN}} '''[[Indonesia]]'''<br />[[President of Indonesia|President]] '''[[Prabowo Subianto]]'''
File:Ishiba Shigeru 20241001 (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|JPN}} '''[[Japan]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] '''[[Shigeru Ishiba]]'''
File:Sonexay Siphandone (2024).jpg|{{flagicon|LAO}} '''[[Laos]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of Laos|Prime Minister]] '''[[Sonexay Siphandone]]'''
File:Anwar Ibrahim (2024-05-23).jpg|{{flagicon|MAS}} '''[[Malaysia]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Prime Minister]] '''[[Anwar Ibrahim]]'''
File:Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing on March 4, 2025 (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|MYA}} '''[[Myanmar]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of Myanmar|Prime Minister]] '''[[Min Aung Hlaing]]''' 
File:LUXON, Christopher - Botany (cropped).png|{{flagicon|NZL}} '''[[New Zealand]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] '''[[Christopher Luxon]]'''
File:Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr (cropped portrait).jpg|{{flagicon|PHL}} '''[[Philippines]]'''<br />[[President of the Philippines|President]] '''[[Bongbong Marcos]]'''
File:Mishustin Portrait govru.jpg|{{flagicon|RUS}} '''[[Russia]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of Russia|Prime Minister]] '''[[Mikhail Mishustin]]'''
File:Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong 250530-D-PM193-4275 (2025).jpg|{{flagicon|SIN}} '''[[Singapore]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]] '''[[Lawrence Wong]]'''
File:President Lee Jae-Myung June 2025.jpg|{{flagicon|KOR}} '''[[South Korea]]'''<br />[[President of South Korea|President]] '''[[Lee Jae-myung]]'''
File:PM Paetongtarn of Thailand (2024) 01 (cropped) (cropped).jpg|{{flagicon|THA}} '''[[Thailand]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister]] '''[[Paetongtarn Shinawatra]]'''
File:Official Presidential Portrait of President Donald J. Trump (2025).jpg|{{flagicon|USA}} '''[[United States]]'''<br />[[President of the United States|President]] '''[[Donald Trump]]'''
File:Pham Minh Chinh 2021.jpg|{{flagicon|VIE}} '''[[Vietnam]]'''<br />[[Prime Minister of Vietnam|Prime Minister]] '''[[Phạm Minh Chính]]'''
</gallery>

==Energy==
At the [[Second East Asia Summit|Second EAS]] the EAS members signed the [[Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security]], a declaration on energy security and biofuels, containing a statement for members to prepare non-binding targets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.12thaseansummit.org.ph/innertemplate3.asp?category=docs&docid=31|title=12thaseansummit.org.ph – 12thaseansummit Resources and Information.|website=12thaseansummit.org.ph|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101132138/http://www.12thaseansummit.org.ph/innertemplate3.asp?category=docs&docid=31|archive-date=1 November 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Trade and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA)==
Trade is an important focus for the summit.

As to trade and regional integration the following was noted in the Chair's report for the [[Second East Asia Summit|Second EAS]]:

<blockquote>
12. We welcomed ASEAN's efforts towards further integration and community building, and reaffirmed our resolve to work closely together in narrowing development gaps in our region. We reiterated our support for ASEAN's role as the driving force for economic integration in this region. To deepen integration, we agreed to launch a Track To study on a [[Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia]] (CEPEA) among EAS participants. We tasked the ASEAN Secretariat to prepare a time frame for the study and to invite all our countries to nominate their respective participants in it.

We welcomed Japan's proposal for an [[Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia]] (ERIA).
</blockquote>

The reality appears however that movement towards such a relationship is a long way-off.  [[Lee Kuan Yew]] has compared the relationship between [[Southeast Asia]] and India with that of the [[European Economic Community|European Community]] and [[Turkey]], and has suggested that a free-trade area involving Southeast Asia and India is 30 to 50 years away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1933180.htm|title=EU expansion a lesson: Lee Kuan Yew|publisher=Radio Australia |access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626115809/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s1933180.htm|archive-date=26 June 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The members of EAS agreed to study the Japanese proposed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20070117a1.html|title=The Japan Times Online: Success for the EAS? |website=Japan Times |access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927000501/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20070117a1.html|archive-date=27 September 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA).  The Track Two report on CEPEA is due to be completed in mid-2008<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20071121.E03&irec=2|title=The Jakarta Post – East Asia Summit and broader economic integration in Asia}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and at the [[Third East Asia Summit|Third EAS]] it was agreed this would be considered at the [[Fourth East Asia Summit|Fourth EAS]].

As noted above the Second EAS welcomed the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).  It was subsequently announced that the ERIA would be established in November 2007<ref>[http://www.bruneitimes.com.bn/details.php?shape_ID=37631 The Brunei Times – Link Dead]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and confirmed at the [[Third East Asia Summit|Third EAS]].

The Declaration of the Fifth Anniversary of the East Asia Summit issued at the [[Fifth East Asia Summit|Fifth EAS]] provided the Summit declared:<ref>[http://asean2010.vn/asean_en/news/48/2DAA10/Ha-Noi-Declaration-on-the-commemoration-of-the-fifth-anniversary-of-the-EAST-ASIA-summit Ha Noi Declaration on the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the EAST ASIA summit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103062547/http://asean2010.vn/asean_en/news/48/2DAA10/Ha-Noi-Declaration-on-the-commemoration-of-the-fifth-anniversary-of-the-EAST-ASIA-summit |date=3 November 2010 }}</ref>

<blockquote>3. To redouble efforts to move progress and cooperation in the EAS further forward, including in the priority areas and in the promotion of regional integration through supporting the realisation of the ASEAN Community and such initiatives as the ASEAN Plus FTAs and other existing wider regional economic integration efforts including studies on East Asia Free Trade Area (EAFTA) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA).</blockquote>

India has launched several [[India–Myanmar barrier#Look-East connectivity|Look-East connectivity projects]] with China and [[ASEAN]] nations.

==East Asian Community==
{{Main|East Asian Community}}

After the EAS was established the issue arose of whether any future East Asia Community would arise from the EAS or ASEAN Plus Three.  Prior to the creation of the EAS it appeared that ASEAN Plus Three would take the role of community building in East Asia.<ref>{{cite web |author=Anil Netto |date=31 August 2002 |title=ASEAN: Trouble in the family |website=Asia Times |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/DH31Ae06.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020912003950/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/DH31Ae06.html|url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2002|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref>

Malaysia felt that it was still the case that the role of the community building fell to ASEAN Plus Three shortly before the second EAS despite "confusion".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/5/nation/16226090&sec=nation|title=Much confusion over East Asian community building|date=1 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501134400/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/5/nation/16226090&sec=nation|access-date=7 May 2018|archive-date=1 May 2011}}</ref> China apparently agreed whereas Japan and India felt the EAS should be the focus of the East Asian Community.<ref>[http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/editorial/20061215TDY04005.htm Original link dead]
[http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=210504 Original link dead] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518232436/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=210504 |date=18 May 2007 }}</ref>

After the first EAS the feasibility of EAS to have a community building role was questioned with [[Ong Keng Yong]], the secretary-general of ASEAN being quoted as describing the EAS as little more than a "brainstorming forum".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=117796|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824071007/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=117796|url-status=dead|title=Timor parliament to consider oil deal<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=24 August 2007}}</ref>
Nevertheless, the {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060823220809/http://www.aseansec.org/18579.htm Chairman’s Press Statement for the Seventh ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]}} Kuala Lumpur, 26 July 2006 said

<blockquote>
25. The Ministers welcomed the convening of the East Asia Summit as a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. In this respect, they recognized that the East Asia Summit could make a significant contribution to the achievement of the long-term goal of establishing an East Asian community.
</blockquote>

It appeared that over time following the first EAS the focus was less on whether the EAS has a role in community building to what the role and whether it was secondary to ASEAN Plus Three.  By mid-2006 the Chinese news site Xinhua Net suggested the community would arise through a two-phase process with ASEAN Plus Three as the first phase and the EAS as the second phase.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-07/29/content_4890285.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501124402/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-07/29/content_4890285.htm|url-status=dead|title=Xinhua – English<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=1 May 2011}}</ref> The China-India joint declaration of 21 November 2006 linked, at paragraph 43, the EAS with the East Asian Community process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=22168|title=PIB Press Release<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613045925/http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=22168|archive-date=13 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The concentric circle model of the community process with ASEAN at the centre, ASEAN Plus Three at the next band and the East Asia Summit at the outer band is supported by the {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071123073634/http://www.aseansec.org/21099.htm  Second Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation Building on the Foundations of ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation]}} which said:

<blockquote>

III.  Looking Forward to a Decade of Consolidation and Closer Integration (2007–2017)
<br /><br />
A. Defining the Objectives and Roles of the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation in the Emerging Regional Architecture
<br /><br />
1. We reaffirmed that the ASEAN Plus Three Process would remain as the main vehicle towards the long-term goal of building an East Asian community, with ASEAN as the driving force.
<br />
...  
<br /><br />
3. We recognised and supported the mutually reinforcing and complementary roles of the ASEAN Plus Three process and such regional fora as EAS, ARF, APEC and ASEM to promote East Asian community building.
<br /><br />
4. We reiterated that East Asian integration is an open, transparent, inclusive, and forward-looking process for mutual benefits and support internationally shared values to achieve peace, stability, democracy and prosperity in the region. Guided by the vision for durable peace and shared prosperity in East Asia and beyond, we will stand guided by new economic flows, evolving strategic interactions and the belief to continue to engage all interested countries and organisations towards the realisation of an open regional architecture capable of adapting to changes and new dynamism.
</blockquote>

On any view, community building is not a short-term project.  However, after the second EAS, the Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] was confident that the EAS would lead to an East Asia Community.<ref>{{cite web |title=East Asia Summit would ultimately lead to creation of East Asia community: PM|url=http://www.dailyindia.com/show/103864.php/East-Asia-Summit-would-ultimately-lead-to-creation-of-East-Asia-community:-PM |website=Daily India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154815/http://www.dailyindia.com/show/103864.php/East-Asia-Summit-would-ultimately-lead-to-creation-of-East-Asia-community%3A-PM |archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> China had also apparently accepted this was the case.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-01/16/content_5612470.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501124358/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-01/16/content_5612470.htm|url-status=dead|title=Xinhua – English<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=1 May 2011}}</ref>

If achieved the Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia (CEPEA) would be a tangible first step in the community building process.  The second EAS seems to have increased confidence in CEPEA but is still only a proposal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1074792|title=East Asia summit is an unqualified success for India – Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=16 January 2007|website=dnaindia.com|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035349/http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1074792|archive-date=30 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

It has been suggested that as the EAS consists of an "anti-region" the prospects of it forming a community are less than likely.<ref>{{cite report |author=Shaun Breslin |date=November 2007 |publisher=The Stanley Foundation |title=Supplying Demand or Demanding Supply? An Alternative Look at the Forces Driving East Asian Community Building |url=http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/pab/Breslin_07_PAB.pdf |access-date=2007-11-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128193052/http://www.stanleyfoundation.org/publications/pab/Breslin_07_PAB.pdf |archive-date=28 November 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Relationship with ASEAN Plus Three==
The relationship between the EAS on one hand and [[ASEAN Free Trade Area#ASEAN Plus Three|ASEAN Plus Three]] on the other is still not clear. As discussed above, some countries are more supportive of the narrower ASEAN Plus Three grouping whereas others support the broader, more inclusive EAS. ASEAN Plus Three, which has been meeting since December 1997<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130528001949/http://www.aseansec.org/16580.htm ASEAN secretariat – ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation]}}</ref> has a history, including the [[Chiang Mai Initiative]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aseansec.org/afp/113.htm|title=ASEAN secretariat – China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN Agree on Wider Currency Swap Arrangements|website=aseansec.org|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521124149/http://www.aseansec.org/afp/113.htm|archive-date=21 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> which appears to have led to the development of the [[Asian Monetary Unit]].  This may be significant for those advocating a broader role for EAS in the future.

The tension between the groupings extends to the respective members' intentions towards future Free Trade Agreements with China and South Korea focused on ASEAN Plus Three and Japan on the broader EAS members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=215499|title=Bernama – Japan Pushes For Expanded EAFTA Comprising 16 Countries|website=bernama.com.my|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929103158/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=215499|archive-date=29 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The [[1997 Asian financial crisis]] had demonstrated the need for regional groupings and initiatives.  It was during this time ASEAN Plus Three had commenced and it was also during this time that the East Asian caucus was being discussed.

The EAS is just one regional grouping and some members down play its significance, the former Australian Prime Minister [[John Howard]] has stated that the EAS was secondary as a regional summit to [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]] which has on his view a premier role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1530494.htm|title=AM – APEC leads Asian summits, PM says|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512010724/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2005/s1530494.htm|archive-date=12 May 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Not all members of the EAS, notably India, are members of APEC.  However, as the EAS meetings are scheduled with the ASEAN Plus Three meetings (they both follow the annual ASEAN meetings) and all members of ASEAN Plus Three are members of EAS the ability of the two forums to remain relevant given the existence of the other remains in question.  China has stated its preference for both EAS and ASEAN Plus Three to exist side by side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/200512/14/eng20051214_228024.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060225224740/http://english.people.com.cn/200512/14/eng20051214_228024.html|url-status=dead|title=People's Daily Online -- East Asia Summit, a new platform for regional cooperation|archivedate=25 February 2006|website=en.people.cn}}</ref>

The relationship between APEC, ASEAN Plus Three and the EAS remained unresolved heading into the 2007 APEC meeting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.vietnamnet.vn/politics/2006/11/633054/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111183831/http://english.vietnamnet.vn/politics/2006/11/633054/|url-status=dead|title=VietNamNet Bridge<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=11 January 2007}}</ref> Following the meeting the then Malaysian Prime Minister [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]] described ASEAN Plus Three as the primary vehicle and implied APEC was the lesser of the three.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/11/19/nation/16071554&sec=nation|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501134408/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2006%2F11%2F19%2Fnation%2F16071554&sec=nation|url-status=dead|title=Make Apec relevant to all<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=1 May 2011}}</ref> At the same time a Malaysian commentator writing in a Singaporean newspaper described concentric circles for the three with ASEAN Plus Three at the centre and APEC at the outer, also suggested the Nikai Initiative, with its regional OECD like plans, might overtaking the remaining role for APEC.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172206/https://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Saturday/Columns/20061118123949/Article/index_html The New Strais Times On-line – Link dead]</ref>

== Countries joining the Summit process ==
=== Russia ===
[[Russia]] participated in the first EAS as an observer at the invitation of 2005 host Malaysia and requested to become a member.  Its request to become a future member received support from China and India.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/15/stories/2007021521771400.htm | location=Chennai, India | title=Trilateral business meet later this year | date=15 February 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218234102/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/15/stories/2007021521771400.htm | archive-date=18 February 2007 | work=[[The Hindu]] | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The membership of EAS was to be considered by ASEAN on a case-by-case basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/33198/vietnam-takes-the-helm|title=Vietnam takes the helm – Bangkok Post: news |website=Bangkok Post |access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref> [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]] decided to freeze new "membership" of EAS for the second and third summits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/East-Asia-Summit-freezes-membership-for-2-years/articleshow/1539589.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018213610/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-05-20/rest-of-world/27801902_1_asean-ong-keng-yong-east-asia-summit |archive-date=2012-10-18 |title=East Asia Summit freezes membership for 2 years |website=The Times of India |url-status=live |date=18 October 2012}}</ref>

The status of potential future members was discussed in the Chairman's Statement of the 16th ASEAN Summit (9 April 2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aseansec.org/24509.htm|title=Chairman's Statement of the 16th ASEAN Summit "Towards the Asean Community: from Vision to Action"|website=aseansec.org|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521103045/http://www.aseansec.org/24509.htm|archive-date=21 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> in these terms:

<blockquote>43.    We recognized and supported the mutually reinforcing roles of the ASEAN+3 process, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and such regional forums as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), to promote the East Asian cooperation and dialogue towards the building of a community in East Asia. In this connection, we encouraged Russia and the US to deepen their engagement in an evolving regional architecture, including the possibility of their involvement with the EAS through appropriate modalities, taking into account the Leaders-led, open and inclusive nature of the EAS.</blockquote>

ASEAN formally invited the United States and Russia to join the group from 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h3xcrO8YSIm9-PeBMNAC-i5PMfcw|title=US, Russia to join East Asia Summit|via=Google |access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723014303/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h3xcrO8YSIm9-PeBMNAC-i5PMfcw|archive-date=23 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== United States ===
Japan and India supported inclusion of the United States and Russia prior to their invitation to join the East Asia Summit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chinese-glue-brings-India-Japan-closer/Article1-617760.aspx |title=Hindustan Times – Archive News |access-date=2010-09-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028213130/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Chinese-glue-brings-India-Japan-closer/Article1-617760.aspx |archive-date=28 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[President of the United States|US President]] [[Barack Obama]] declared his country "an Asia Pacific nation" during his first year in office.<ref>{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Mike |title=America's first Pacific president |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/11/americas-first-pacific-president-029511 |publisher=POLITICO |access-date=24 October 2011 |date=13 November 2009 |quote='As an Asia Pacific nation, the United States expects to be involved in the discussions that shape the future of this region, and to participate fully in appropriate organizations as they are established and evolve,' Obama said. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027172031/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29511.html |archive-date=27 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Subsequently, [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]] attended the [[Fifth East Asia Summit|Fifth EAS]] in October 2010 and President Obama attended the [[Sixth East Asia Summit|Sixth EAS]] in November 2011.

=== ASEAN + 8 ===
In April and May 2010 it was discussed that the roles for Russia and the United States may be to create a new grouping "ASEAN + 8" including the East Asia Summit members together with the United States and Russia.  ASEAN + 8 may not meet as regularly as the East Asia Summit due to the logistical difficulties in the United States President committing to an annual Asian meeting.  Such a meeting could be held every two to three years to coincide with the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]] meeting occurring in Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2010/05/08/asean8-a-recipe-for-a-new-regional-architecture/|title=ASEAN+8 – A recipe for a new regional architecture|date=8 May 2010|website=eastasiaforum.org|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928035132/http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2010/05/08/asean8-a-recipe-for-a-new-regional-architecture/|archive-date=28 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Potential future members ==
=== East Timor and Papua New Guinea ===
[[East Timor]] is a candidate for ASEAN membership, with the organization agreeing in principle to admit the country, while [[Papua New Guinea]] has shown an intention to join;<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070609190633/http://www.aseansec.org/afp/154.htm East Timor Needs Five Years to Join ASEAN: PM<!-- Bot generated title -->]}}</ref><ref>[http://www.gmanews.tv/story/154860/Papua-New-Guinea-asks-RP-support-for-Asean-membership-bid Papua New Guinea asks RP support for Asean membership bid] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522122208/http://www.gmanews.tv/story/154860/Papua-New-Guinea-asks-RP-support-for-Asean-membership-bid |date=22 May 2011 }} Retrieved 8 July 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.op.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22879&Itemid=2 Somare seeks PGMA's support for PNG's ASEAN membership bid] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306192700/http://www.op.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22879&Itemid=2 |date=6 March 2010 }} Retrieved 8 July 2009</ref> presumably new members of ASEAN would also join the EAS.<ref>{{cite news|title=09-East Timor soon to join ASEAN|url=http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070109122630046|publisher=Balita – Linking Filipinos worldwide with news since 1994|date=2007-01-09|access-date=2007-03-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127040254/http://news.balita.ph/html/article.php/20070109122630046|archive-date=27 January 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Other countries and groupings ===
Over several years, especially shortly the commencement of the summits, other countries have been connected with the EAS.

In 2006, [[Pakistan]] and [[Mongolia]] were proposed as future members by Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=104480|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928145843/http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=104480|url-status=dead|title=Online International News Network – Pak-Malaysia stresses enhancing trade, economic relations|archivedate=28 September 2007}}</ref> Mongolia was mentioned again by Vietnam, the then chair, in 2010.<ref>[http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Vietnam-Mongolia-expect-US2-million-in-trade/20108/119074.vov Vietnam, Mongolia expect US$12 million in trade] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901163538/http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Vietnam-Mongolia-expect-US2-million-in-trade/20108/119074.vov |date=1 September 2010 }}</ref>

In 2007, Pakistan and [[Bangladesh]] were raised by Japan as possible members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200705250094.html|title=The Asahi Shimbun|website=The Asahi Shimbun|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528060118/http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200705250094.html|archive-date=28 May 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2007, the [[European Union]] indicated it wishes to have a role as an observer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/227&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en|title=European Commission – Benita Ferrero-Waldner<br /> European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy<br />New Visions for EU-Japan Relations<br /> Opening of Joint EU-Japan Symposium<br />Brussels, 6 April 2006|website=europa.eu|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130085209/http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH%2F06%2F227&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en|archive-date=30 January 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2008, the [[Arab League]] held talks and expressed its desire to have a role as an observer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arableagueonline.org/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111134312/http://www.arableagueonline.org/las/arabic/details_ar.jsp?art_id=343&level_id=205|url-status=dead|title=Arab League - Sportwetten - Beste Singlebörsen im Vergleich|archivedate=11 November 2007|website=Arab League - Sportwetten - Beste Singlebörsen im Vergleich}}</ref>

In 2017, [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Maldives]] were proposed to be possible members of East Asia Summit. Prime Minister of [[Canada]] [[Justin Trudeau]] attended as guest. He had arrived directly from the [[APEC Vietnam 2017|APEC 2017 summit]] held in [[Da Nang]], Vietnam.

==See also==
* [[Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia]]
* [[Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership]]
* [[Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere]]: unrelated concept in the mid-20th century
* [[Asian Monetary Unit]]
* [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]]
** [[ASEAN Free Trade Area]]: The FTA arrangements between the 10 members of ASEAN
** [[ASEAN Summit]]: held jointly with the EAS

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|East Asia Summit}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120623152921/http://www.asean.org/aadcp/repsf/abouteastasiasummit.html ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program: About the East Asia Summit]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060321184540/http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/FAD/eastasia_summit.htm The East Asia Summit: Issues and outcomes]
* [http://www.ceac.jp/e/index.html The Council on East Asian Community]
* [http://futureworldaffairs.blogspot.com/2007/03/east-asias-new-multilateralism-hopes.html East Asia New Multilateralism Hopes]

{{East Asia Summit}}
{{Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:21st-century diplomatic conferences]]
[[Category:ASEAN meetings]]
[[Category:Organizations associated with ASEAN]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2005]]
[[Category:Politics of East Asia]]