Inside ASEAN Column

Column:            Inside ASEAN

Written by:        Bureau of Public Relations

Translated by:    Bureau of Foreign Languages

2019 Chairmanship of ASEAN: Advancing Partnership for Sustainability

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been established to promote understanding between Nations in the region, maintain peace, stability and political security, faster economic advancement, social and cultural development and the well-being of people on the basis of equality and mutual benefits amongst 10 member countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Chairmanship of ASEAN is the highest position of ASEAN. This prestigious position will rotate annually between the leaders of ASEAN member countries for a 1-year term of office. The member country assuming Chairmanship will host the conferences of each relative field and senior officer to ministerial level, as well as the ASEAN Summit for leaders. Besides, the Chairmanship takes role of chairman of the ASEAN Coordinating Council, the ASEAN Community Councils and the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN.

Thailand has been appointed officially to be the Chairmanship of ASEAN, successor of Singapore, during the 33^rd ASEAN Summit, 11 – 15 November 2018, at the Republic of Singapore, and will act as the Chair from 1 January 2019 for the entire year. During the appointment, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, stated “Since the founding of ASEAN in Bangkok in 1967 over five decades ago, ASEAN has become a Community in a region blessed with peace and security. ASEAN has grown into the sixth largest economy in the world and is projected to become the world’s fourth largest economy by 2030. Its role is also recognized internationally and is at the centre of the regional architecture. However, ASEAN is also facing a number of challenges, such as trade and political competition, disruptive technologies, transnational crime, inequities and transformations in the region’s social structure.”

In assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship, Thailand announced the theme for its chairmanship, namely “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability”. The meaning of each word is linked to the strategy of Thailand’s Chairmanship of ASEAN and how Thailand will steer ASEAN with emphasis on sustainability, connectivity and foresight. This means ASEAN has to cooperate closely with all sectors, including both partners outside the region and global communities, on the basis of mutual benefit for the purpose of dynamic advancement and sustainable future in all dimensions for the well-being and peace of ASEAN people.

The above main ideas consist of 3 main components emphasizing and boosting ASEAN during Thailand’s Chairmanship of ASEAN are as follows:

1. Partnership: to have an important strategy, the creation of Seamless ASEAN, by establishing the partnership within ASEAN and with the international community, including dialogue partners.

2. Advancing: to achieve the important strategic goal, Digital ASEAN, by looking towards and moving forward together dynamically to the future, making use of technological advances and enhancing competitiveness parallel with creating a system to counter disruptive technologies and challenges in the future.

3. Sustainability: to create sustainability in all dimensions, including sustainable security, sustainable economic growth, as well as green economy, sustainable development and Sustainability of Things (SoT).

Thailand also unveiled the logo for the Chairmanship of ASEAN which the artist used “Phuang Malai, or flower garland” as an inspiration. This came from the notion that Thai citizen uses garland during auspicious ceremonies to welcome and honour distinguished guests. The artist mixed perfectly compatible different art styles reflecting Thainess in the modern era. The “flowers”, which is assembled to be a “garland”, represent the people of the ASEAN Community and their collective cooperation. The tassels hanging from the Malai symbolize the 10 member countries of ASEAN. They collectively form the shape of an upward arrow representing their striving together in “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability”, towards a people-centred approach. The main colour used in the logo is inspired by colour of the purple mangosteen which is considered to be a traditional colour. Furthermore, the artist made adjustments to the colour to ensure modernity and stability for implication.

Thailand will perform its duties of the Chairmanship of ASEAN throughout the year 2019. This is a good opportunity to show the country’s important role steering the ASEAN Community and welcoming international leaders to attend more than 170 meetings, including the 40^th AIPA General Assembly during 25 – 30 August 2019 hosted by the Thai Parliament. Therefore, the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand would like to invite every Thai citizen to be a good host to support the role of the Chairmanship of ASEAN with courteousness for the success of the event.

Welcome to Thailand. Welcome to ASEAN.

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