Attachments
Foreward
2017 marks the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN’s establishment as a regional organisation founded on the ideals of peace, prosperity and harmony. Five decades of evolution and development has brought ASEAN the unprecedented level of economic growth and peace dividends that have galvanised its position as one of the world’s successful inter-governmental groupings. Various mechanisms have been established for political and security cooperation within the region, and between ASEAN and external partners. These mechanisms have resulted in tangible outcomes for ASEAN, laying the foundation for economic and socio-cultural development.
Over the last 12 months, in efforts towards the realisation of Vision 2025, ASEAN has made substantial progress.
In the political-security pillar, further efforts have been undertaken in building a rules-based, people-oriented, and people-centred community. ASEAN has prioritised the maintenance of regional peace and stability through regional security architectures that it helped to establish. ASEAN remains proactive in enhancing cooperation and collaboration with external partners and interested parties. To date, 88 countries/organisations have appointed their Ambassadors to ASEAN. The number of non-ASEAN Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation has increased to 25. Further requests were received from various countries to establish formal partnership with ASEAN. ASEAN has also stepped up efforts to address important issues such as irregular migration and trafficking in persons through the adoption of critical measures.
In the economic pillar, ASEAN has successfully delivered on its 2016 priorities which would further facilitate trade and create an enabler, especially for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Achievements include the adoption of various frameworks aimed at creating a conducive environment for business in the region, the launch of the ASEAN Tariff Finder as well as the full operational plan for the ASEAN Solutions for Investments, Services and Trade. There was also progress in the new focus areas of the AEC Blueprint 2025. For 2017, ASEAN is picking up the overall thematic priority of “Inclusive, Innovation-led Growth” for the AEC to be pursued through strategic measures. The progress ASEAN made in the socio-cultural eld was considerable in terms of translating the 2025 blueprint and various ASEAN commitments into concrete regional cooperative programmes and projects. ASEAN’s accomplishments in the past one year include policy actions, programmes and activities that highlight ASEAN as a resilient, dynamic and inclusive community that is a model of regionalism, and a global player. Among others, these initiatives will deepen sense of ASEAN identity among stakeholders and ensure balance between sustainable development and sustainable environment.
Moving forward, it remains fundamental for ASEAN to preserve the current peaceful and stable environment for economic development and regional integration that will bring benefits to the ASEAN peoples. Harmonising national policies and the interests of the organisation as a whole will make ASEAN stronger to overcome unfolding challenges and spread the fruits of integration to the region’s 629 million people in all walks of life.