Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I am happy to join all of you for the opening of the 5th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth (AMMY). Let me begin by extending a warm welcome to all our friends and visitors from abroad.
ASEAN's 40th Anniversary
2. 2007 is a special year for ASEAN, for it is our 40th anniversary. We have had our fair share of growing pains over the years, but we have evolved and grown as a regional organisation based on consensus and collaboration. Today, ASEAN members collaborate in diverse fields like counter-terrorism, education, health and finance. We are aiming to form an ASEAN Community by 2015, five years sooner than the original target. Step by step, we have enhanced the linkages between our countries and moved closer to this ideal.
3. However, much remains to be done. We must build on the progress so far, to take ASEAN forward and maximise its potential. ASEAN must be a strong and effective organisation, able to partner China and India effectively in a rapidly transforming Asia. The challenges confronting ASEAN are growing. Trans-border problems such as haze and avian flu demand closer regional cooperation. To effectively address these challenges, ASEAN needs to strengthen itself politically and economically. Earlier this year in Cebu, ASEAN leaders endorsed the report of the Eminent Persons' Group to strengthen the institutions of ASEAN and define its long-term goals. The report provides the blueprint for the ASEAN Charter, which we aim to complete in time for the Leaders' Summit in November.
4. As we strengthen the bonds within ASEAN, we must also forge strong links with our partners. I am therefore glad that our ASEAN+3 partners - China, Japan and Korea - are joining us at the AMMY for the first time. This growing cooperation on youth issues will contribute to our efforts to build the East Asian community. At the same time, ASEAN must continue to strengthen its longstanding relations with partners outside the region, such as the US and Europe. All these links will enable ASEAN to thrive as a centre in Asia and a key node in the global grid.
5. In August, it will be Singapore's turn to take on the ASEAN chairmanship. We are planning a full slate of commemorative events for this anniversary year. A key focus of these events is to reach out to the young, and imbue in them a deeper sense of belonging and community. Our young people must have a greater awareness of their interlinked destinies, for they will be our future captains to steer the direction of ASEAN, and secure its place in the world.
Creating Our Future Together
6. The theme of this year's AMMY - Creating Our Future Together - is a message to the young people in ASEAN that they have a role to play in shaping the region's future, and that they can begin to do that now.
7. Almost 60% of ASEAN's population are below 30 years old. It is our responsibility to ensure that these 324 million ASEAN youth will benefit from sound and bold policies. Then they can look forward to a brighter future in a region that is cohesive and strong, vibrant and prosperous.
8. This year, in conjunction with the Ministerial meetings, 50 youth leaders from across the ASEAN region have convened for a seven day Youth Caucus. They discussed ASEAN youth issues in four areas - (1) education, (2) employment and entrepreneurship, (3) engagement and (4) environment, and will present their deliberations to the Youth Ministers later today.
9. This is the first time that youth leaders are included in the AMMY programme. It reflects our commitment to engage ASEAN youth. ASEAN Ministers can hear first hand the perspectives of the young generation, on issues that affect us all. This will enrich discussions among the Ministers, and allow the youth leaders to better understand policy considerations from a broader, regional perspective. The Youth Caucus is also a networking opportunity for a new generation of regional leaders to forge new ties, enhance friendships and explore potential collaborations.
Singapore-ASEAN Youth Fund
10. To develop ASEAN youth and promote networking among the region's youth organisations, Singapore will be setting up a Singapore-ASEAN Youth Fund for youth-related projects. Singapore will provide a sum of S$5 million to this fund. This contribution is also to commemorate ASEAN's 40th Anniversary and to demonstrate Singapore's commitment to our ASEAN partners.
11. The Singapore-ASEAN Youth Fund will support activities for youth between 15 and 35 years old. It will fund ASEAN youth expeditions, youth exchanges, community projects, leadership-building programmes, seminars, and a whole range of other activities. The possibilities are limited only by the creativity and imagination of our young people.
12. One example is a community service project in Cambodia that was spearheaded by Singapore's National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Council. 90 young people from different countries came together to work side by side over ten days in June last year, in order to refurbish a local school in Cambodia. The youths gained much from the experience. They made new friends, learnt from each other and sharpened their lifeskills.
Conclusion
13. Building an ASEAN Community is a long-term commitment that requires a shared vision and common resolve. People-to-people projects like the Singapore-ASEAN Youth Fund will foster this, by promoting greater understanding and friendship among the youth of the region who will eventually be the ASEAN leaders of tomorrow. The more we work and play together, the better we will understand and appreciate one another, and the more we can find shared interests to work together on, to the benefit of all.
14. On this note, I declare the 5th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth open, and wish you constructive and fruitful discussions ahead.