New ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)At the ceremony, the ASEAN chief, who was appointed at he40th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh last November, said the priorities, dubbed the ‘SixPs’, include maintaining PEACE, stability and security in the region; andbuilding on PROSPERITY that ASEAN, both collectively and individually, hasachieved up to now.
He said it is also necessary to focus on the PLANET,especially the environment, climate change and the green economy, which hasgained great momentums in recent years; and to empower the PEOPLE, especiallythe youths, through the further strengthening of the ASEAN Community building,ASEAN integration and the people- to-people ties.
The fifth and sixth priorities are to enhance PARTNERSHIPSwithin ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and its external partners; and totransform the remaining various areas of the bloc’s POTENTIALS into real benefitsand advantages, he noted.
Addressing the ceremony, former Secretary-General DatoLim Jock Hoi stressed ASEAN’s achievements over the past five years, particularlythe signing and entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP), and efforts for post-pandemic recovery via improving theregion’s health systems and human capital development.
According to him, the bloc has invested in its youth andfuture leaders, as well as enhanced the region’s digital transformation throughthe implementation of the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap and the ConsolidatedStrategies for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will position ASEAN tobe future ready.
ASEAN has also undertaken several measures in further enhancing the region’scapacity and preparedness in responding to the possibility of futureemergencies and disasters, as well as in pursuing sustainable development,green technology and energy transition reflected in the adoption of theFramework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community./.
VNA
