ASEAN has become one of the most important regional organizations in the world.

Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, stated that the stronger ASEAN becomes, the more solid the foundation of the Association will be.

Ngoại trưởng Malaysia tin tưởng ASEAN sẽ tăng trưởng mạnh hơn bất chấp nhiều thách thức

Malaysian Foreign Minister, Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, speaks at the event commemorating the 56th anniversary of ASEAN. (Source: VNA)

On August 8, Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir expressed confidence that ASEAN members will thrive as the bloc's position in the region becomes more important despite current global geopolitical challenges.

Speaking at the 56th anniversary celebration of ASEAN (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2023) held at the Gombak Cultural Centre of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Foreign Minister Zambry expressed hope that all ASEAN members would grow stronger to consolidate the bloc's foundation.

He emphasized that, to this day, in the spirit of ASEAN Day on August 8th, ASEAN remains intact as one of the most important regional associations in the world .

However, according to him, ASEAN, despite being a dynamic region, is not immune to emerging problems. Nevertheless, the most important thing is that all members of the bloc remain steadfast in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

In his speech, Foreign Minister Zambry also addressed green growth, which is defined as a strategy to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address climate change and other environmental challenges to support global peace, security, prosperity and sustainable development, particularly in the context of the circular economy.

Mr. Zambry affirmed that, in this context, ASEAN should ensure that growth targets revolve around the principles of sustainability, inclusiveness, and shared prosperity.

According to the head of Malaysia's foreign ministry, ASEAN's growth is not just a story of economic success, but also a story of cultural preservation, environmental protection, and social justice.

Also attending the 56th anniversary celebration of ASEAN were former ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Ajit Singh; diplomatic delegations from ASEAN member states; and representatives and partners of the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, Counselor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh attended the event. The ceremony, themed "Promoting Sustainable Development of the Region," was jointly organized by the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Malaysian Centre for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Affairs (Sejahtera), and IIUM University.

At this event, delegates also enjoyed unique cultural performances and martial arts demonstrations from the host country. At the conclusion of the celebration, Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry and representatives from the diplomatic missions of ASEAN member countries planted a commemorative tree in the grounds of the Gombak Cultural Center.

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