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SINGAPORE: Enhancing connectivity within the ASEAN region and protecting human rights. The 15th ASEAN Summit got off to a brisk start in the Thai resort city of Hua Hin on Friday amid tight security to keep protestors away.
Re-affirming ASEAN's commitment to become an economic community by 2015 is a key focus of the 15th ASEAN Summit in Thailand which completes its chairmanship at year's end.
The Thai Prime Minister, who is also the current ASEAN chair, said the grouping's standing in the international community has been strengthened with the implementation of the ASEAN Charter in December last year, making it a more rules-based organisation.
Other positive developments include the upcoming meeting in Singapore with US President Barack Obama and plans for the ASEAN-Russia Summit next year.
Thai Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair. Abhisit Vejjajiva, said: "The task ahead of us will not be easy as governments alone cannot make it happen. It is the responsibility of all sectors in the society including the private sectors, the civil society, as well as each and every one of us to move forward our 'ASEAN Community'. Considering the changing dynamics of the region and of the world, we must work to sustain the efforts to achieve our goals."
Another highlight was the launch of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
It's tasked with promoting and protecting human rights in the region.
ASEAN also pledged US$200,000 to start a fund, to support the commission's activities in its first year.
Richard Magnus, Singapore Representative on ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, said: "Singapore has been contributing quite significantly to development of this institution. It's a very defining moment.
“Singapore had played a very critical role in bridging some of the views of the various countries and helping out in the formulation, helping in building up a consensus among the ASEAN countries.
“The consensus building itself, the building of an entire community in understanding and appreciating human rights and what these rights really are shows we have come a long way. And we need to be comfortable with one another. We need to develop what the parameters are and the constraints are and the sensitivities are on the ground."
With much of its own housekeeping business completed on the first day of the ASEAN Summit, the grouping's leaders will move on into their next phase of discussions, this time with the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea.
ASEAN's leaders believe their dialogue partners have an important role to play in achieving greater connectivity within the region and also to work closely in tackling global challenges, among them the pandemics and the aftermath of natural disasters in the region. - AFP/vm
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