Esteemed Citizens and Peoples of ASEAN,
On this occasion of the 57th ASEAN Day, I have the pleasure to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to the people of Myanmar and the peoples of the ASEAN Member States. I would also like to extend my best wishes for the further success of the Association in this ever-changing international landscape and for the continued progress and prosperity of the region and the peoples.
The ASEAN was born on 8 August 1967, with the wisdom of five founding architects. ASEAN has evolved from an Association to a Community and from regional cooperation to integration. Over fifty-seven years, ASEAN has been successfully materializing the vision of the founding fathers and has become one of the most successful inter-governmental organizations in the world. ASEAN acts as a locomotive for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Despite the challenges during the evolution of the Association, ASEAN responds effectively to challenges and complex geopolitical and socioeconomic environments in this region and beyond.
Esteemed Citizens and Peoples of ASEAN,
ASEAN continues as a rules-based community of nations committed to the principles and spirit of the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and other ASEAN instruments. As ASEAN is a people-centred, people-oriented organization, the ASEAN peoples are at the heart of our efforts, and we ensure the meaningful and inclusive participation of all stakeholders in our ASEAN Community-building process. With our concerted efforts, we need to enhance ASEAN centrality and unity and to strengthen ASEAN’s vital role in leading and shaping the regional security architecture.
Amidst the complex and fast-changing geopolitical and geoeconomic landscapes, the Association needs to be resilient, responsive, well connected and competitive. Therefore, no one can deny that the 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, is more relevant than ever. Moreover, all Members are working to finalize the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which aims to fulfil the aspirations of the peoples while maintaining resilient, innovative, dynamic, and People-Centred ASEAN.
In addition, we are addressing the challenges of supply chain disruption by implementing the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) to enhance cross-border e-commerce and digital trade to empower businesses and stakeholders across the region.
Esteemed Citizens and Peoples of ASEAN,
Being a responsible member of the Association, Myanmar continues its cooperation with the ASEAN Member States in the ASEAN Community-Building process in accordance with the ASEAN Charter. Moreover, Myanmar has been fulfilling legal, financial and functional obligations. From 2021 to 2024, Myanmar has successfully performed its role as the coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. The partnership between ASEAN and China has been broadened and deepened and contributed to regional peace, stability and prosperity through established important mechanisms across three community pillars under a comprehensive agenda. We will continue this momentum in taking over the coordinator-ship for ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations from 2024 to 2027.
On this auspicious occasion of the 57th anniversary, ASEAN should further strengthen its unity in creating One Community in this corner of the world. While fulfilling the purposes and principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN Member States need to work together to render constructive support to member countries and address internal matters smoothly.
Creating an ASEAN Community encompassing all three pillars requires full commitment by all member states. These commitments shall form the cornerstones in the foreign policies of each member state as well as the very foundation of the ASEAN. In closing, I would like to wish for more peace and greater prosperity for the peoples in the region.
