10 Aug 2015
10-Aug-2015
Source: ASEAN Secretariat News
ASEAN Celebrates 2015 Community with Stakeholders
JAKARTA, 10 August 2015 – With the impending launch of ASEAN Community as a backdrop, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations marked its 48th anniversary today with a high-profile celebration in its headquarters in Jakarta. Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla graced the event along with other Cabinet Ministers, the Governor of Jakarta, the diplomatic community, business leaders and youths in the region.
In his speech, Vice President Kalla congratulated ASEAN on its 48th Anniversary saying that "for a person at age 48, one is in the prime of life. As an organization, ASEAN is beginning to mature. ASEAN has achieved much in its nearly half a century of existence of which we can all be proud." The Vice President also remarked that "ASEAN has transformed the formerly unstable and divided South East Asian region to a peaceful and stable region....This is a remarkable achievement, particularly if compared to many other regions in the world."
Meanwhile, ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said in his welcome remarks that "after 48 years of evolution and development, by the end of this year, we shall be realizing the dream of an ASEAN Community where our people are bound together in friendship, cooperation, peace, freedom and prosperity in a community of opportunities." He added that "growth and development enabled ASEAN to achieve remarkable success in reducing poverty, improving health services, education and access to information, enhancing disaster preparedness, narrowing of development gaps within and among countries."
At the celebration today, Vice President Kalla, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama witnessed the symbolic extension of the ASEAN Secretariat premises. The Indonesian Government has donated the property next to the current premises of the Secretariat, where the South Jakarta Governor used to hold office.
Another highlight of the event was the presentation of the joint issue of ASEAN Community stamp. For the first time, all 10 Member States launched a common stamp and post mark designs to highlight the arrival of ASEAN Community. The designs came from a region-wide competition won by Viet Nam. The competition was organised by Thailand Post as Chair of ASEAN Post this year.
The programme also featured ASEAN's cultural treasures such as ASEAN puppetry with colourful performers from all ten countries represented and Batik with ASEAN motif.
A series of commemorative events in ASEAN Member States began over the weekend. Malaysia, ASEAN Chair for 2015 marked ASEAN Day with a commemorative program in Kuala Lumpur on August 8. The ASEAN Cultural Centre was launched in Bangkok on August 7. Indonesia held a 5K-Run that exceeded its target in terms of participants. Other Member States are observing ASEAN's anniversary through various events.
On December 31, the10 Member States will officially launch the much-anticipated ASEAN Community. Sec-Gen Minh explained that "with the establishment of the ASEAN Community this year, ASEAN will bring about even more opportunities and benefits to all ASEAN peoples when barriers will be further eliminated, national systems will be further harmonized, wider regional and global integration further enhanced."
ASEAN was founded in Bangkok, Thailand on 8 August 1967 when the five founding fathers signed the ASEAN Declaration. The five original members are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Over the years, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam joined the Association.
Welcoming Remarks of Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh On the Occasion of the 48th Anniversary of ASEAN.
Remarks of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Jusuf Kalla On the Occasion of the 48th Anniversary of ASEAN.
Speech by Yab Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak Prime Minister of Malaysia at The 48th ASEAN Day Celebration 8 August 2015, Kuala Lumpur.