The ASEAN Secretariat hosts the 4th Forum of Entities Associated with ASEAN. (Source: ASEAN website)Jakarta (VNA) - The ASEAN Secretariat hosted the 4th Forumof Entities Associated with ASEAN.
This annual forum provides a platform for the ASEAN accredited entities tobolster further cooperation with ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN sectoral bodies andASEAN related centres, and among themselves.
About 150 participants representing ASEAN parliamentarians, judiciaries, youth,civil societies, women, and business and professional associations attendedthis year’s forum which took place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his welcome remarks, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato LimJock Hoi encouraged the entities to explore collaboration with one another,contributing to realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and strengthening theASEAN image and brand.
Vietnam’sPermanent Representative to ASEAN Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, in his role asChair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (ASEAN CPR), appreciated the entities’ contributions to raising ASEAN awareness and fostering communitybuilding.
The Forum kickedoff with an overview of the impact of the COVID19 pandemic in ASEAN and thebloc’s responses to date, in particular, how ASEAN member states are workingclosely together for a post-pandemic recovery framework.
The participants shared their on-the-ground views on the progress of ASEANVision 2025 and possible areas for improvement. As COVID-19 continues to hitthe region and worldwide, the ASEAN entities acknowledged that the journey torecovery requires closer cooperation between various partners and stakeholders.
DeputySecretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs Michael Tene calledon ASEAN and its entities to work closer together in achieving ASEAN Vision2025 and contribute to joint efforts in ensuring a peaceful, resilient andprosperous region.
There are currently 75 entities associated with ASEAN which are listed in Annex2 of the ASEAN Charter. They are categorised into parliamentarians andjudiciary, business organisations, think tank and academic institutions, civilsociety organisations, and other stakeholders./.
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