Myanmar President U Win Myint (second, left) and the ASEAN countries' leaders at the 32nd ASEAN Summit in Singapore (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Myanmar President U Win Myint has called on the Myanmar people to exertmore efforts to boost socio-economic development and actively engage in the ASEANCommunity building process, thus contributing to peace, stability andprosperity in the region and the world.
The Presidentmade the call on August 8 on the occasion of the 51st foundinganniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
President U WinMyint said Myanmar, as a responsible member of ASEAN, has been in fullcooperation with other member states in the implementation of ASEAN CommunityBlueprints, regional integration and community building.
With a view torealizing an inclusive, united, resilient and innovative ASEAN Community, hesaid ASEAN is working together in improving the quality of lives of the peoplethrough various cooperative activities in education, health, human resourcesdevelopment, environmental protection, disaster management and sustainabilityof natural resources.
He added thatASEAN is also placing high priority on the promotion of cultural cooperationand people-to-people engagements in order to forge a stronger sense of identitytowards ASEAN.
Despiteattaining many achievements in community building efforts, the President warnedthat ASEAN today is facing with emerging traditional and non-traditionalchallenges, he noted.
In addressingthe issues of common concern such as transnational crimes, terrorism, cybersecurity, climate change and environmental degradation, food and energysecurity, President U Win Myint underlined that ASEAN has been able todemonstrate the collective strength and resilience that lies at the core andbecome more united in the face of these challenges.
In 2018, the theme of the association is to build a self-reliant andinnovative ASEAN, aiming to strengthen efforts to cope with future challenges.
Myanmar, along with Laos, joined the regional grouping in July 1997 atits 30th anniversary.-VNA
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