Jakarta: The Prime Minister delivered his vision statement at the ASEAN Secretariat for the first time in 17 years, outlining three approaches to lead ASEAN towards a stronger future together. Today at Nusantara Hall, ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, shared Thailand's vision for the future of ASEAN. The event was attended by permanent representatives to the ASEAN Secretariat and diplomats from over 100 countries.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister proposed three key approaches to enable ASEAN to address global challenges, maintain its regional leadership role, and create tangible results for its people: strengthening robust regionalism; building resilience and preparedness for volatility; and making ASEAN sustainably meaningful to the lives of its people.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the world is currently facing interconnected challenges in geopolitics, economics, technology, and security, which cannot be solved by any single country. "Regional challenges require regional solutions."
The first approach is to strengthen regionalism. The Prime Minister believes that in an increasingly divided world, the unity and centrality of ASEAN are even more important. The principles of consensus and non-interference in internal affairs remain fundamental, but they should be applied flexibly and appropriately to ensure ASEAN maintains its unity and can effectively respond to various situations. The situation in Myanmar is a clear test.
The Five-Point Consensus remains ASEAN's primary framework for addressing the situation in Myanmar. Thailand supports a calibrated re-engagement approach, focusing on maintaining channels for dialogue, opening spaces for interaction, and responding to the facts on the ground, while promoting concrete progress. This approach appears to be moving in the right direction, with the International Committee of the Red Cross meeting Aung San Suu Kyi, reportedly in good health. Thailand has consistently advocated for this and hopes to see further positive developments.
Regarding relations between Thailand and Cambodia, the Prime Minister affirmed that both sides agreed to restore trust and allow bilateral negotiations to continue. Thailand is ready to open a new chapter in its relations with its neighbor, committed to resolving differences peacefully and in accordance with international law, while maintaining the unity and common agenda of ASEAN.
The second approach, building resilience and preparedness for volatility, involves ASEAN not waiting for crises to occur before addressing them. The Prime Minister advocated for strengthening the security of supply chains, energy, and food, accelerating digital connectivity, and developing technological capabilities. ASEAN should expand cooperation with middle-sized powers and countries in the Global South to increase options, reduce dependence on any single source, and maintain the region's strategic independence.
The third approach is to make ASEAN sustainably relevant to its people. The Prime Minister emphasized that ASEAN's success must be measured by tangible results for its citizens, including food and energy security, combating cross-border crime and threats, creating jobs and economic opportunities, and developing the skills of the younger generation for the digital economy. ASEAN must strengthen its institutions so that leaders' decisions can truly benefit the people.
The Prime Minister stated that ASEAN is a regional cooperation framework that Thailand co-founded since the signing of the Bangkok Declaration 59 years ago. This framework helped transform a region once rife with conflict into a rules-based community, emphasizing cooperation and dialogue. Thailand has played a crucial role in ASEAN's development, including promoting the ASEAN Free Trade Area, establishing the ASEAN Regional Forum, and laying the foundation for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister stated that the 60th anniversary of ASEAN next year will be a significant opportunity to shape the region's new direction. Thailand is ready to play a crucial role at this critical juncture, contributing to building a strong, unified ASEAN that is resilient to change and truly benefits its people.
"This is the future of ASEAN that Thailand believes in, and it is a future that we all must build together," the Prime Minister said.