ID :
85781
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/85781
The shortlink copeid
15th ASEAN Summit officially opens
CHA-AM/HUA HIN, Oct 23 (TNA) – Amid tight security the three-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits on Friday officially kicked off in these twin seaside resorts southwest of Bangkok with a plan to launch an intergovernmental human rights commission and consider how to achieve economic integration by 2015.
In his inaugural address at the opening ceremony of the regional summit under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity, Empowering Peoples,” Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, this year’s ASEAN chairman, urged the 10-nation bloc to begin thinking with a fresh approach, saying that the body “no longer has the luxury of time” and that its structures should adapted for prompt decision-making and effective follow-through.
He said he strongly supported the role of the secretary-general in bringing pressing issues to the attention of ASEAN’s leaders for immediate action.
Mr Abhisit emphasised that being connected is at the heart of ASEAN’s role and that it will contribute more tangibly and effectively to sustainable growth and the prosperity of a vibrant East Asia.
The opening of the ASEAN Summit was attended by leaders of ASEAN and other Asia-Pacific region nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
However, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo were unable to be present at the ceremony as they have other special duties in their countries. However, they will arrive at the summit venues Friday evening.
ASEAN's members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Topping the agenda are the announcement establishing an ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), adoption of a declaration on climate change to reaffirm ASEAN’s position in the negotiation under the UN Frameworks Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as the adoption of a declaration on cooperation in education to achieve an ASEAN Community. (TNA)
In his inaugural address at the opening ceremony of the regional summit under the theme “Enhancing Connectivity, Empowering Peoples,” Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, this year’s ASEAN chairman, urged the 10-nation bloc to begin thinking with a fresh approach, saying that the body “no longer has the luxury of time” and that its structures should adapted for prompt decision-making and effective follow-through.
He said he strongly supported the role of the secretary-general in bringing pressing issues to the attention of ASEAN’s leaders for immediate action.
Mr Abhisit emphasised that being connected is at the heart of ASEAN’s role and that it will contribute more tangibly and effectively to sustainable growth and the prosperity of a vibrant East Asia.
The opening of the ASEAN Summit was attended by leaders of ASEAN and other Asia-Pacific region nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
However, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo were unable to be present at the ceremony as they have other special duties in their countries. However, they will arrive at the summit venues Friday evening.
ASEAN's members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Topping the agenda are the announcement establishing an ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), adoption of a declaration on climate change to reaffirm ASEAN’s position in the negotiation under the UN Frameworks Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as the adoption of a declaration on cooperation in education to achieve an ASEAN Community. (TNA)
