The East Asia Summit ( EAS ) is a regional forum held annually by leaders of , initially , 16 countries in the East Asian , Southeast Asian , and South Asian regions , based on the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism . Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the United States at the Sixth EAS in 2011 . Since its establishment , ASEAN has held the central role and leadership in the forum . EAS meetings are held after the annual ASEAN leaders ' meetings , and plays an important role in the regional architecture of Asia-Pacific . The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia on 14 December 2005
Sixth EAS
Sixth East Asia Summit
East Asia Summit