Basic Rules and Framework of the Network of East Asian Think-Tanks (NEAT)

Article 1: The Name of the Network

The name of the network shall be: “The Network of East Asian Think-tanks”, henceforth to be referred as “NEAT”.

Article 2: Purpose

To support, promote, and develop the ideas of East Asian cooperation and regionalism.

Article 3: Function

3.A. to serve as a Track Two process for East Asian cooperation especially for ASEAN+3;

3.B. to provide intellectual support for East Asian cooperation, especially through studies of key and strategic issues concerning future developments of East Asian cooperation;

3.C. to propose recommendations to the East Asian Governments through policy-oriented studies, conferences, workshops and publications;

3.D. to provide and publicize ideas, writings, research and other works for the public and the East Asian communities; and

3.E. to establish linkages with Track One of ASEAN + 3 and with other networks, institutions and organizations.

 Article 4: Membership

Members of NEAT consist of Think-tanks designated by the ASEAN+3 Governments. They are the Country Coordinators.

 Article 5: Bodies and Decision Making Process

5.A. Country Coordinators Meeting

5.A.1. Each Government designates one institution as Country Coordinator, responsible for domestic and external communication and coordination;

5.A.2. The founding Country Coordinators of NEAT are:

• Brunei Darussalam Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brunei;

• General Department of ASEAN, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cambodia;

• Center for East Asian Studies, China Foreign Affairs University, China;

• Center for East Asian Cooperation Studies, University of Indonesia, Indonesia;

• The Japan Forum on International Relations, Inc., Japan;

• Korean Institute of South East Asian Studies (KISEAS), Korea;

• Institute of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Laos;

• Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), Malaysia;

• Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS), Myanmar;

• Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Philippines;

• East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore;

• Institute of East Asian Studies, Thammasat University, Thailand; and

• Institute for International Relations (Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam.

5.A.3. The Country Coordinators Meeting shall serve as the highest decision making body of NEAT;

5.A.4. Decision shall be made by consensus at the meeting and be binding on all members;

5.A.5. The Country Coordinators Meeting shall consider and approve the establishment of working groups;

5.A.6. The Country Coordinators Meeting shall consider and approve memorandums and policy recommendations from working groups and submit them to the ASEAN+3 Summit; and

5.A.7. The Meeting shall be convened at least twice a year and the Co-chairs consist of the outgoing and incoming host Country Coordinators of the Annual Conference.

5.B. The Annual Conference

5.B.1. The host Country Coordinator shall convene and chair the NEAT Annual Conference;

5.B.2. The agenda, time, and venue, shall be decided by the Country Coordinators Meeting;

5.B.3. Each Country Coordinator shall have an equal opportunity to host the Annual Conference;

5.B.4. Each Country Coordinator shall provide the host Country Coordinator with a list of each country’s participants to the Annual Conference;

5.B.5   The costs of organizing the Annual Conference shall be covered by the host country, while the expenses of international travel and accommodation shall be borne by the participants;

5.B.6. The ASEAN Secretariat shall be invited to participate as a resource person in the Annual Conference;

5.B.7. The incoming host country of the Annual Conference shall perform the following functions:

5.B.7.1. to serve as the center for communications/liaison and information;

5.B.7.2. to organize the Annual Conference, the Country Coordinators Meeting and other cooperative activities as agreed by CCM;

5.B.7.3. to publish materials decided by the Country Coordinators Meeting.

5.C. Secretarial Work

5.C.1. For the purpose of maintaining continuity, the cooperation and coordination between host Country Coordinators and outgoing Country Coordinator should be strengthened by ensuring active communication among the members;

5.C.2. The secretarial work shall be provided by the incoming host Country Coordinators with the support of the outgoing host Country Coordinator; and

5.C.3. The Website of NEAT shall be managed by NEAT Philippines under the direction of the Country Coordinators Meeting.

5.D. Working Groups

5.D.1. The studies and research of NEAT shall be conducted by Working Groups;

5.D.2. The Working Groups shall be sponsored by the initiating Country Coordinator and approved by the Country Coordinators Meeting; and

5.D.3. Working Groups can organize workshops and submit recommendations for the consideration of the Country Coordinators Meeting.

 Article 6:  Funding

6.A. To fund the activities of NEAT, the government of each ASEAN + 3 is requested to provide the necessary financial support; and

6.B. NEAT shall also raise funds from other sources, such as the private business sector and nonprofit institutions.

Article 7: Amendment

The basic rules of the Network of East Asian Think-Tanks (NEAT) can be amended by consensus of NEAT Country Coordinators. A proposal for amendment(s) shall be circulated to all Country Coordinators 30 days prior to the next Country Coordinators Meeting for their consideration.

 Adopted in Seoul, Republic of Korea by Country Coordinators on the Thirty-First of August, 2009