On August 8 2020, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) marksed its 53rd anniversary. Looking back on half a century of development, ASEAN has made a tremendous journey since its inception in 1967. The remarkable achievements ASEAN has made, far exceed whatthe founding fathers of ASEAN had imagined.
From just five Southeast Asian countries, the organisation has doubled in size and has grown to become a family of 10 nations including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, living in peace, stability, dialogue and cooperation.
Holding the ASEAN’s chairmanship in 2020, Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam highlighted the following at the virtual official ASEAN Day Celebration in Jakarta on August 8 2020.
“Today, the ASEAN community is a big family of six hundred and fifty million people with a combined GDP of three trillion USD.
Translating its vision into actions, ASEAN has been promoting both the interest of our people and peace and prosperity in the Asia - Pacific.
ASEAN is now at a critical juncture. The new dynamism in our geo-strategic landscape, emerging regional and global issues require ASEAN to be ever more cohesive and responsive.
Shoulder to shoulder, we can rise above any challenge and move ASEAN forward.
Therefore, we should redouble our efforts to strengthen our Community, while proactively and effectively promote our ties with the dialogue partners.
We should also ensure an ASEAN-centered regional architecture that is open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based.”
Addressing its vision of ASEAN Community-building within a peaceful and prosperous Southeast Asia, ASEAN remains committed to reinforce centrality and unity under “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” in the years ahead.