On 15 and 16 November, the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting (ASEMFMM14) took place at the historic El Prado National Museum and El Pardo Royal Palace in Madrid.

The ASEMFMM14 brought together Foreign Ministers and senior representatives of 51 European and Asian countries, alongside the EU and ASEAN, under the theme "Asia and Europe: Together for Effective Multilateralism".

The ASEMFMM14 was hosted by Spain and chaired by EU’s new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

Foreign Ministers exchanged views on how to strengthen cooperation between the two continents on a wide range of areas, focusing on these central themes:

• Upholding and Revitalising Multilateralism and Global Issues concentrating on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, and marine litter
• Tackling Regional Issues and Security Challenges such as terrorism, maritime security and cyber and information and communication technology
• Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment including in the context of peace, security and sustainable development issues
• Sustainable Connectivity centralised on the ASEM Definition of Connectivity and Tangible Areas of Connectivity Cooperation in the ASEM context

The Chair’s Statement (see under Documents) has been issued, focusing on the above themes.

A press conference was held on the 16 December at the conclusion of the event.

Alongside the ASEMFMM14, the ASEM Cultural Festival (#ASEMfest), the 9th Model ASEM, and the 12th ASEF Journalist Seminar (ASEFJS12) took place concurrently, showing the numerous paths of collaboration between the two continents.

For live updates, plase follow #ASEMFMM14 on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Instagram.