he ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), led by Secretary General H.E. Le Luong Minh, today hosted the celebrations of the 47th Anniversary of ASEAN with festive events in Jakarta. Members of the diplomatic community and ASEAN partners joined in the celebration.
“As we gather today to celebrate another anniversary of ASEAN’s founding, we are also at the threshold of realising a dream for a ‘prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations’ that began 47 years ago, on 8 August 1967. That long-aspired dream is about to come true! ASEAN is poised to proclaim the realisation of the ASEAN Community by the end of next year. This will be another epic milestone signalling Southeast Asia’s irrefutable connectivity and cohesiveness – where the peoples enjoy the blessings of peace, freedom and prosperity,” said SG Minh in his remarks.
The ASEAN Community, which takes effect on 31 December 2015, will signal the start of an integrated political, economic, and socio-cultural community characterised by mutual recognition arrangements in many fields and integrated regional economy, among others.
The ASEAN Community, which takes effect on 31 December 2015, will signal the start of an integrated political, economic, and socio-cultural community characterised by mutual recognition arrangements in many fields and integrated regional economy, among others.
H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty Natalegawa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia joined SG Minh in congratulating the association. Minister Natalegawa paid tribute to the present and past leaders of ASEAN for their “foresight and wisdom in building the ASEAN Community.” He reiterated Indonesia’s “strong commitment to ASEAN and expressed his confidence in “ASEAN’s irreversible capacity to ASEAN Community building” which according to him must be the region’s biggest priority. In parting, Minister Natalegawa called on ASEAN “to be a value-adding party, a contributor and not just a recipient” to the peace and prosperity of the region and beyond.
Another highlight of the event was the awarding of prizes to two ASEAN-wide competitions. The ASEAN Community, a Digital Community made up of 50 dedicated volunteer students from ASEAN Member States, organised an “ASEAN Community Photo Contest 2014: My ASEANationality.” Meanwhile, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) organised the “ASEAN Youth Competition on Arts and Human Rights.” The grand prize winners of the two competitions were announced and given prizes by SG Minh during the ceremony. The winning artworks and photos will be on display at ASEAN Secretariat lobby for a week.