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 underlined the importance of building an ASEAN community that is meaningful, one that prepares the peoples in the region for the challenges ahead and allows them to benefit from opportunities available in the future.
The monarch said this in his message for the 56th anniversary of ASEAN, during which His Majesty also highlighted the importance of “ensuring the well-being of our peoples continue to be at the centre of our efforts” as the association works “towards realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2025”.
His Majesty also applauded ASEAN for having made “significant progress to ensure the region remains peaceful stable and secure, with steady economic growth and strong socio-cultural ties”. Coupled with growing support from external partners, the monarch believes that ASEAN has advanced in areas such as education, health and technology.
His Majesty added, “ASEAN has reaffirmed its centrality and unity in shaping the evolving regional architecture as a platform for its member states and partners to cooperate and have constructive dialogues and consultations through mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum.”
The monarch said as ASEAN strives to become an association that is “more inclusive, adaptive, responsive and forward-looking”, it is important for these aspirations to guide it in formulating post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision.
His Majesty, in the message, also commended Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year, to which the monarch said, “We will continue to work closely and with consensus, with all ASEAN member states as well as with dialogue, sectoral and development partners to achieve our shared goals for peace, stability and prosperity and towards an ASEAN community that is rules-based, people-oriented and people-centred.” – Azlan Othman
