World Leaders Meet at East Asia Summit in Myanmar

The 9th East Asia Summit was hosted by Myanmar on November 12-13, 2014.

Above: (From left to right) China's Premier Li Keqiang, Myanmar's President Thein Sein, US President Barack Obama, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev hold hands as they pose at the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Naypyitaw, November 12, 2014

Established in 2005, the annual summit is being attended by the leaders of 18 countries that are located in the region or have strong ties to the East Asian economy.

Above: Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at the 9th East Asia Summit, November 13, 2014

The forum was originally attended by the leaders of the 10 ASEAN member-states plus the heads of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. Starting with the 6th summit in 2011, however, membership was expanded to include Russia and the US.

Above: A policeman walks on an empty 20 lane road leading to the country's parliament building in Naypyitaw, November 11, 2014

Russia's President Vladimir Putin did not attend the summit this year. The country was represented by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev instead.

Above: Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, center, at the 9th East Asia Summit, November 12, 2014.

The goal of the summit was to review key world and regional political issues, as well as to discuss cooperation in such priority areas as finance, energy, education, healthcare and others.


Above: Members of the US Secret Service Counter Assault Team (CAT) keep watch at the hotel where US President Barack Obama is staying during his visit to the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Naypyitaw, November 13, 2014

According to Dmitry Medvedev, he only had a brief discussion with the US President Barack Obama, as per the meeting format.

Above: Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, right, and US President Barack Obama at the 9th East Asia Summit, November 13, 2014

A cultural performance was held following the conclusion of the first day of the summit to entertain the attending dignitaries.

Above: A cultural performance at the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN summit on November 12, 2014 in Naypyidaw, Myanmar

Dmitry Medvedev remarked that the Asian vector of Russian foreign policy is in no way related to the country's current problems in relations with Europe and the US.

Above: Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang (R) before a joint photo session at the 9th East Asia Summit, November 13, 2014

In 2014 Myanmar assumed ASEAN chairmanship for the first time since joining the organization 17 years ago.

Above: Girls wearing traditional costumes greet the world leaders attending the 9th East Asian Summit.

The 9th East Asian Summit was held in Naypyidaw, which was made the new capital of Myanmar in 2005.

Above: A Myanmar policeman wearing his dress uniform takes a photo with his phone at the lotus fountain on November 11, 2014 in Naypyidaw, Myanmar