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ASEAN 

BACKGROUND

In 2025, the East Asia Summit (EAS) celebrates a historic 20th anniversary as a leaders-led platform for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability, and economic prosperity in East Asia. The EAS upholds ASEAN Centrality and supports ASEAN’s efforts to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) through the implementation of the East Asia Summit Plan of Action (2024-2028).

To commemorate this milestone, the ASEAN Foundation, in collaboration with the Missions of Australia, China, and Japan to ASEAN, and with the support of Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) and ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF), is proud to launch a special edition of its flagship diplomacy initiative: the ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting (AFMAM) East Asia Summit 2025 (AFMAM EAS 2025). This programme will take place on 15-19 September 2025 at the ASEAN Headquarters/Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.

This immersive youth diplomacy programme will bring together 60 outstanding university students from across EAS participating countries. Participants will engage in high-level simulations of ASEAN and EAS meetings, acting as senior ASEAN and Dialogue Partner officials. They will partake in a series of model ASEAN meetings, including a Model East Asia Summit, and collaboratively draft an Outcome Document that reflects youth perspectives and policy proposals.

Aiming to strengthen diplomacy between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners, the programme offers young participants a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of regional cooperation, develop diplomatic skills, and build cross-border friendships. It encourages youth to shape shared visions for ASEAN’s future through meaningful engagement.

Through interactive simulations, participants will take on the roles of senior ASEAN and Dialogue Partner officials in a series of ASEAN and EAS meetings. These sessions will culminate in the drafting of an outcome document—modelled on a Leaders’ Statement and Declaration—that reflects youth-driven perspectives. The experience enhances participants’ sense of regional identity and appreciation for ASEAN’s diversity and unity.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The AFMAM EAS 2025 will consist of a series of activities:

1. Pre-Conference Online Training: The online training for delegates is designed to ensure that participants of the AFMAM EAS 2025 possess a foundational level of knowledge and competence on ASEAN, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and key thematic areas (Offshore Renewable Energy, Disaster Management, and Marine Debris & Pollution). There will be four sessions provided, and the sessions will also provide an overview of foreign policy, diplomacy, and the simulation procedures to ensure a smooth and productive experience during the conference. Beyond the sessions, all selected delegates will be required to do assignments, including the development of position papers.
2. In-Conference Training: On the first day of the conference (15 September 2025), delegates will participate in a series of training and informal consultation sessions to prepare them for the committee simulations. These sessions will cover key topics, including:
   1. Understanding the role and function of the ASEAN Secretariat and the EAS Chair.
   2. Protocols for chairing and facilitating ASEAN and EAS meetings.
   3. Techniques for developing, negotiating, and amending the Outcome Document.
3. The AFMAM EAS 2025: As the main event of the programme, the AFMAM EAS 2025 will provide delegates with the opportunity to take on the roles of high-level ASEAN and Dialogue Partner officials. Delegates will engage in a series of ASEAN and EAS meetings, culminating in a full-scale simulation of the East Asia Summit. Throughout the simulation, participants will deliberate on regional issues and collectively draft an Outcome Document that reflects youth-driven perspectives and proposals. The document will be formally signed at the end of the programme to mark the conclusion of the summit.

TOPIC OVERVIEW

The AFMAM East Asia Summit aims to inspire youth participation in regional diplomacy by addressing timely and cross-cutting challenges that impact ASEAN Member States and the broader region. Through focused discussions on Offshore Renewable Energy, Disaster Management, and Proliferation of Marine Debris and Pollution, the programme will engage participants in exploring policy solutions and collaborative approaches aligned with ASEAN’s strategic priorities.

The ASEAN Community is anchored on three mutually supporting pillars: Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural. Several cross-border issues that present opportunities for strengthened regional cooperation need to be highlighted.

• ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) - Offshore Renewable Energy (RE)

Beyond meeting energy needs of the region, building offshore RE sources also deepens joint efforts for sustainable recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

The vastness of the seas means that deciding how to implement marine RE sources (such as waves and tides) or to site energy sources in maritime spaces (e.g. floating solar and offshore wind farms) will require collective decision-making. Hence, delegates would be in a suitable position to discuss frameworks including (i) financing, (ii) smart grids, and (iii) research, all of which are needed to support the offshore RE system.

• ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) - Disaster Management

As one of the most prone to natural disaster regions in the world, disaster management is a key agenda and concern of ASEAN which requires cross-sectoral and coordinated approaches. The ASEAN Agreement on the Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) is a cross-sectoral initiative, implemented primarily under the APSC Framework through the ASEAN Committee of Disaster Management (ACDM).

For continuous mainstreaming of the ASEAN Strategic and Holistic Initiative to Link ASEAN Responses to Emergencies and Disasters (ASEAN SHIELD), delegates will be well-suited to discuss on (i) cross-coordination between relevant ASEAN bodies (AHA Centre, ASEAN SHIELD, ACDM) to enhance humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, (ii) practical cooperation and areas for strategic dialogue, (iii) information sharing between governments, (iv) technological interventions, (v) capacity building cooperation, and (v) maritime disaster management.

• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) - Proliferation of Marine Debris and Pollution

The effects of pollution can be felt beyond the country where the pollution first originates. Consequences such as the Coral Triangle being endangered (which ASEAN is home to) can be felt by all ASEAN states, given that the Coral Triangle (which hosts 76% of all known coral species) is vital in sustaining regional fishery stocks. This means that ASEAN Member States must come together to implement an action plan to address various stages of the plastic waste value chain, such as (i) reducing inputs, (ii) enhancing collection, and (iii) creating value for waste reuse.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

The programme primarily targets tertiary education students aged 18-26 from the 10 ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United States, and the Russian Federation to undertake the series of activities under AFMAM. 60 delegates will be selected to join the programme.

TIMELINE*

The AFMAM EAS 2025 will be held at The ASEAN Headquarters/Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia from 15 to 19 September 2025. The following are important indicative dates:

11 June – 4 July	Call for Application
4 July	Deadline of Application Submission
4 – 31 July	Application Assessment and Selection
1 August	Selected Delegates Announcement
14 – 25 August	Pre-Conference Online Workshop for Selected Delegates Training for Delegates.
2 September	Submission of Position Papers
14 September	Delegate’s arrival in Jakarta
15 – 19 September	AFMAM EAS 2025
20 September	Delegate’s departure

*The above timeline is subject to adjustments

 

 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of one of the following countries:
  • 10 ASEAN Member States or Timor-Leste
  • Other East Asia Summit Participating Countries (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, or the United States)
• Be enrolled in a diploma or undergraduate programme (or equivalent) at a tertiary education institution in one of the eligible countries mentioned in Point 1 at the time of the programme
• Be between 18 and 26 years old during the programme
• Have proficiency in English, both written and spoken (no TOEFL/IELTS needed)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please prepare the following documents before starting your application:

• Headshot photo (JPG/JPEG, max 500 KB)
• Scanned passport (JPG/JPEG, max 500 KB) – Please note, you will require at least six months validity beyond the scheduled departure date of 14 September 2025. Accordingly, all passports must be valid through at least 14 March 2026.
• Letter of Enrolment (PDF, max 500 KB): A student status letter issued by your department, faculty, or institution confirming your active enrolment. It must be on official letterhead, include your name, department, faculty, current semester, and be signed by an authorised official.
• List of five most noteworthy personal or professional achievements of each applicant (please do not share more than 5 achievements, the list should be brief and concise i.e. 2-3 sentences each, do not write a full CV/resume).
• An individual essay addressing the following question:

Context:

The East Asia Summit (EAS) serves as a leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern. As regional challenges continue to grow in complexity and urgency, strengthening multilateral cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms is more important than ever. Among the priority areas that require enhanced collaboration are:

• Offshore Renewable Energy
• Disaster Management
• Marine Debris and Pollution

Instructions:

Please select one of the topics above and write an essay of no more than 500 words in response to the following question:

Essay Question:

In the context of your selected topic, what role can ASEAN play in addressing this regional challenge? What innovative actions or partnerships would you propose to enhance East Asia Summit (EAS) cooperation in response?

 

PROGRAMME BENEFITS

Successful applicants from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, Australia, and Japan will be fully supported by the programme, including round-trip travel from the nearest major city in your home country to Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as accommodation, local transportation, and meals during AFMAM EAS 2025. Students[1] from non-ASEAN EAS participating countries (China, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United States) are welcome to apply and funding arrangements are currently being finalised.

By joining AFMAM EAS 2025, you will:

• Gain first-hand experience in ASEAN diplomacy through authentic simulation exercises of ASEAN and EAS meetings.
• Strengthen key skills such as global awareness, cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, negotiation, public speaking, consensus-building, and leadership.
• Enjoy a unique and memorable experience with peers from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, and other East Asia Summit countries.
• Build a lasting network of young leaders across the ASEAN and East Asia regions.
• Seize the opportunity to receive a small grant to organise a local Model ASEAN Meeting in your country—empowering more youth to explore ASEAN diplomacy and develop leadership skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application through the following link: https://bit.ly/AFMAMEAS-Form

Application Deadline: 4 July 2025
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities. Please note any accessibility requirements in your application.

A total of 60 participants—approximately 3 to 4 students per country—will be selected for this prestigious programme.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a future young leader!

Only successful applicants will be notified.

For any inquiries, please contact us at afmam@aseanfoundation.org.