Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
11 May 2014
President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with other Southeast Asian leaders, met at the Myanmar International Convention Center 1 for the Opening Ceremony of the 24th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
In his statement, President U Thein Sein stated that it is of utmost importance that the people benefit from the ASEAN integration and community building. He emphasized the necessity of mapping a clear direction for the ASEAN Community beyond 2015 and contributing more towards peace and prosperity to the global community by taking collective and united responses to global issues.
President Thein also congratulated the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and other ASEAN member states who supported the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) last 27 March 2014 which, according to him, is a great achievement.
On the chairmanship of Myanmar, President Thein expressed the priorities aimed at increasing the efforts to accomplish the remaining tasks of community building which supports the theme, “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community”. Moreover, he urged the ASEAN community to be innovative and competitive in the global arena, as highlighted by the Sultan of Brunei. He then welcomed the concrete initiatives for collaboration on the implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the Elimination of Violence against Children, and to address the issue of climate change.
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