The principles and fundamentals towards addressing ASEAN’s common desire to ensure peace, security and prosperity in Southeast Asia continue to remain relevant today, following the formation of ASEAN just under 60 years ago.
ASEAN should prioritise matters that will play a vital role in the future of the region, in particular the youth. Therefore, ASEAN must provide more opportunities and intensify interactions between its youth so that they are able to contribute to community-building efforts successfully.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam made the statement in a titah during a Plenary Session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit at Komodo Ballroom, Meruorah Convention Centre, Indonesia yesterday.
His Majesty was pleased with the support of ASEAN member states for the ASEAN Junior Fellowship Programme – which was proposed in 2021 and aims to provide the youth with a greater understanding of the work of ASEAN – has progressed well. His Majesty also welcomed Timor-Leste’s participation in the programme starting this year.
The protection and preservation of the environment for future generations should also be focussed on, added His Majesty, as developmental activities have had a detrimental effect on the ecosystem, such as pollution and loss of biodiversity, thus worsening the impacts of climate change in the region. In this regard, it is hoped that the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change in Brunei Darussalam this year will produce innovative solutions and policy recommendations in addressing these issues.
In addition, His Majesty urged for ASEAN to ensure that the region is equipped to face emergencies and disasters by taking a more coordinated and strategic approach to safeguard regional growth and economic development, while it continues on its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In concluding the titah, His Majesty underscored the importance of the ASEAN SHIELD which emphasises the need for a whole-of-ASEAN approach, a more enhanced cross-sectoral coordination and be better prepared in overcoming future challenges.
His Majesty earlier welcomed Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, as well as Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Taur Matan Ruak to their first ASEAN Summit.
His Majesty also congratulated Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen for hosting the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) this year for the first time in the country.
The opening ceremony and Plenary Session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit was held at Komodo Ballroom, Meruorah Convention Centre, in which His Majesty was welcomed upon arrival by President of Indonesia Joko Widodo.
The ceremony – which was also attended by heads of state and government from ASEAN as well as Timor-Leste – commenced with the ASEAN anthem, The ASEAN Way and opening remarks from President of Indonesia as Chairman of ASEAN this year, in which he welcomed all leaders and delegates attending the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo followed by a speech from Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Taur Matan Ruak.
Earlier, Joko Widodo reiterated that ASEAN must focus efforts on strengthening its centrality in the midst of deepening geopolitical rivalries. In addition, ASEAN should also work towards making energy transition a priority in achieving financial stability, along with the continued strengthening of the One Health Initiative by increasing investment in research and procurement of medical equipment and medicine.
The Plenary Session also discussed matters related to ASEAN Community-building, with focus on the theme for this year’s Summit, ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth’.
At the end of the Plenary Session, the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Development of the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision; ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Strengthening of ASEAN’s Capacity and Institutional Effectiveness; ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Combatting Trafficking in Persons Caused by the Abuse of Technology; ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Developing Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystem; ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Advancing Regional Payment Connectivity and Promoting Local Currency Transaction; ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Family Members in Crisis Situation; ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on One Health Initiative; ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Establishment of an ASEAN Villages Network; ASEAN Declaration on the placement And Protection of Migrant Fishers; and Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s membership in ASEAN and its Annexes, were adopted.
This year marks Timor-Leste’s first participation in an ASEAN Summit where ASEAN Leaders – during the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits last November – agreed in-principle to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN and for the country to be granted an observer status in ASEAN allowing its participation in all ASEAN meetings as well as at the Summit plenaries.
