ASEAN summit to focus on community vision, connectivity

Illustrative image (Source: http://www.asean2017.ph)

With the theme of “Partnering for change, engaging the world”, this will be the first summit hosted by the Philippines as the country assumes the rotating Chair of ASEAN in 2017.

The summit is scheduled to focus discussions on measures to effectively deploy the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, master plans to implement the vision on the three pillars of politics-security, economy and socio-culture; the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025; and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III.

It will also deliberate ways to enhance ASEAN’s connectivity, solidarity, unity and central role and strengthen relations between ASEAN and its partners, in addition to exchanging views on regional and international issues of concern.

At the summit, the ASEAN leaders are expected to sign the ASEAN Declaration on the role of the civil service as the catalyst to achieve the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and note five documents, including reports by the ASEAN Secretary General, the ASEAN Community Councils for three pillars and the ASEAN Foundation CEO.

As usual, the host Philippines will issue the Chairman’s Statement of the 30th ASEAN Summit.

A Vietnamese delegation, led by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, will attend the summit, with the aim of pushing for ASEAN’s closer connectivity and better operations; consolidating the bloc’s solidarity, unity and central role in the context of complicated developments; and promoting cooperation to bring practical benefits to people, narrow the development gap and reinforce Vietnam’s relations with other ASEAN members.-VNA