ASEAN Secretary-General: People are at the center of regional integration

The General Secretary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr. Kao Kim Hourn, affirmed that the people are at the heart of the regional integration process and that ASEAN's success is measured by the tangible benefits that are achieved. Community building efforts bring people's lives. On the contrary, it is the people who ensure the longevity of the ASEAN Community.

On August 8, speaking at the 8th anniversary of ASEAN's founding (August 56, 8 - August 8, 1967), Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn called on all ASEAN citizens to contribute to the common effort. towards realizing a peaceful, prosperous, dynamic, resilient, rules-based, people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN community.

Referring to the achievements made in the past 56 years, Mr. Kao Kim Hourn said ASEAN has developed into a full community with 10 member states, plus Timor Leste participating as an observer by decision. of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) in November 11. ASEAN currently has a total population of more than 2022 million people and a GDP of $670 trillion, the third largest in Asia and the fifth largest in the world.

Citing the forecast that ASEAN will become the world's 4th largest economy by 2030, Mr. Kao Kim Hourn affirmed that this shows the great potential of ASEAN in bringing more opportunities and prosperity. for the people of the area.

According to him, the success of ASEAN cannot be achieved without the strong commitment and determination of the member countries to cooperate, towards regional integration and promote the process of building the ASEAN Community.

Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said that during the Indonesian Presidency in 2023 with the theme "ASEAN stature: The focal point of growth," ASEAN will strengthen cooperation to ensure its suitability in responding to challenges. regional and global knowledge, while maintaining economic growth and prosperity for the benefit of people throughout the region.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that ASEAN needs to be able to become the focal point of regional and global economic growth, bringing more benefits to people in the region and the world. gender.

He affirmed that ASEAN has a "strong foundation" for this with its high economic growth rate, large population advantage and the world's confidence in ASEAN as the region with the best economic opportunities. .

Finally, the President of Indonesia called for taking advantage of the above positive momentum to turn ASEAN into the "future of the world," an "anchor" for world peace, stability and prosperity, and expressed his wish that the Related parties are united and determined to turn Southeast Asia into a region of peace, stability and prosperity.

According to vietnamplus.vn