ASEAN Foreign Ministers on April 8 signed a Protocol to the ASEAN Charter on a Dispute Settlement Mechanism, an important document to finalise the bloc’s transformation into a rules-based organisation in conformity with its Charter.

The protocol seeks to address disputes arising from differences in understanding amongst member countries while adhering to ASEAN’s Charter.

Tran Ngoc An, an official spokesperson for the 16 th ASEAN Summit, said that ASEAN is creating a cooperative community in many areas, but especially in economics.

Even though relations between ASEAN members are close and deep, disputes are inevitable, said An.

“Therefore, the protocol will help to create a legal framework to resolve disputes in a fair and sensible manner,” he added.

Prior to the signing ceremony, the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) convened a meeting to complete the final preparations for the 16 th ASEAN Summit.

The summit will take place from the afternoon of April 8 to 9 with major events such as the opening ceremony, the plenary session, a working dinner and ASEAN leaders’ retreat session.

At the summit, ASEAN’s leaders will focus their discussions on core issues, including speeding up the realisation of the roadmap for an ASEAN community, carrying out the ASEAN Charter and promoting connectivity within ASEAN.

They will also discuss measures to enhance cooperation to deal with global challenges that affect the region, strengthen ASEAN’s external relations and its role overseas as well as exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Prior to the opening ceremony, ASEAN’s leaders will have their first official meeting with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) to increase cooperation with AIPA and ensure the contributions of both parties to the ASEAN Community building process.

Regarding the list of documents for the 16 th ASEAN Summit, the ACC reviewed and adopted two draft statements on sustained recovery and development and a joint response to climate change.

Earlier the same day the ACC agreed to adopt the draft guidelines on the use of the ASEAN anthem, name and emblem, a draft of the ASEAN Secretariat’s financial rules and procedures and ASEAN’s communications strategy.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers also took note of the first report by the top level task force on ASEAN Connectivity, which will be submitted to ASEAN’s leaders for consideration./.