The President attended the fifth East Asia Summit (EAS) in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 30 to discuss key global issues with other East Asian leaders, including sustainable growth and climate change.

Ten members of ASEAN, along with China, Japan, Australia, India and New Zealand, attended the meeting.

The President reviewed the cooperation efforts of the EAS over the past five years and praised its role in providing chances for strategic dialogue on regional and global issues.

This year’s meeting saw the United States and Russia join the EAS as new member countries. The President welcomed the new countries and expressed his hopes that the extended EAS can contribute to achieving peace and prosperity worldwide.

The President cited the importance of policy cooperation among countries and explained detailed international cooperation measures for achieving economic recovery and sustainable growth. He also urged EAS members to support Korea for the success of next month’s G20 Seoul Summit

The president asked for EAS members countries’ interest in and support for the Nuclear Security Summit, which will take place in Seoul in 2012. This gathering is designed to contribute to the peace and stability of the East Asian region, and maintain security through the prevention of development and use of weapons of mass destruction.

The President also addressed climate change, explaining to EAS members what efforts the Korean government has made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build the Green Growth Institute, and strengthen regional cooperation in East Asia. He further affirmed the need to strengthen regional cooperation in disaster control.

The meeting attendees adopted the "Hanoi Declaration" to mark the fifth anniversary of the EAS.