Fourth ASEAN Chief Justices' Roundtable on Environment: Role of the Judiciary in Environmental Protection. The Proceedings

From 12 to 14 December 2014, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chief justices and their designees convened in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, for their fourth roundtable on environment, with the theme “Role of the Judiciary in Environmental Protection.” Eminent speakers and participants shared their insights on the judiciary’s role in protecting the environment, particularly in addressing the region’s environmental challenges. The ASEAN judiciaries reviewed their progress made in implementing A Common Vision on Environment for ASEAN Judiciaries (or the “Jakarta Common Vision”) and further deliberated on the Proposed Hanoi Action Plan to Implement the Jakarta Common Vision. Toward the end of the roundtable, the participants agreed in principle on the plan. The plan officially took effect on 10 February 2015. Brunei Darussalam and Singapore support efforts to protect the environment and recognize the relevance of the work of the ASEAN Chief Justices’ Roundtable on Environment, and noted that the plan does not require a binding commitment.