Thailand proposes ASEAN, UN to help manage natural disasters efficiently

BANGKOK, November 19 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday proposed to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) that the two groupings should cooperate in tacking natural disasters efficiently as well as develop warning systems and map out strategies in coping with future disasters. Her proposal was made during the 4th ASEAN-UN Summit held in the Indonesian resort of Bali on Saturday, attended by government leaders in ASEAN as well as UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon. Miss Yingluck reportedly told the meeting that she hoped the UN and related agencies would support ASEAN in integrating ASEAN humanitarian assistance agencies based in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and other cities in this region. ASEAN and the UN should also organise discussions on vital issues which could affect both global and regional developments namely climate change, technology and monetary instability, Miss Yingluck said. The meetings, if held, could assist countries in laying out strategies and able to cope with rapid changes in the world, she said further. On the occasion, the Thai premier also underscored that ASEAN was prepared to play a significant role in the world community, both in preserving world peace and the principles of good governance. As ASEAN is comprised of several religions, languages and nationalities, it has a potential to become neutral organisation, she added. ASEAN government leaders and Mr. Ban were expected to approve an ASEAN and UN declaration after the meeting ended on Saturday, aimed at strengthening cooperation between both sides in the future in the major fields namely politics and security, economy, and social and culture of ASEAN. (TNA)