The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was proclaimed a community through a declaration signed by the ASEAN leaders at its 27th Summit here on Sunday. The leaders stated that this was a historic development and an important milestone in the evolution of the 10-member grouping since its founding in 1967.
Simultaneously, the leaders endorsed “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together,” which charts the path for community building over the next 10 years. The forward-looking road map articulates the ASEAN goals and aspirations to realise “consolidation, integration and stronger cohesiveness as a community.”
Both the declarations were endorsed by the ASEAN leaders in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, among others.
For the people at large, according to the leaders, the declarations imply increased economic opportunities and access to quality jobs, wider choices and better quality products and services.
They said the people in the region would benefit from enhanced sustainable environmental governance and practices, equitable access to opportunities, ease of intra-ASEAN travel and doing business and mobility of skilled labour.
The ASEAN said that it would be a community, where improvements in transport linkages and infrastructure help people and businesses move efficiently. It would work more productively across borders, expand market reach and strategically source goods and services.
This apart, the people are expected to be better protected against pandemics, natural and human-induced disasters and calamities, transnational crimes and transboundary challenges. “They will continue to live in a more united, secure, peaceful and cohesive region,” the ASEAN stated.
ASEAN to strengthen community
The focus of ASEAN 2025 will be on strengthening the community on political, economic and socio-cultural fronts, the grouping stated.
While the Political-Security Community aims at maintaining the association’s centrality in regional mechanisms, the Socio-Cultural Community will focus on promoting a high quality life and equitable access to opportunities for all.
The ASEAN Economic Community will focus on creating an integrated and well-connected economy which will be business-friendly, trade-facilitative and market-driven to inspire investor confidence.
The signatories to the declarations are Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanlal Bolkiah, Cambodia Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Indonesia President Joko Widodo, Laos Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Malaysia Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino III, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-O-Cha (retd.) and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
