Malaysian embassy hosts ASEAN Day celebrations

Manama

The 48th ASEAN Day flag raising ceremony was held at the Embassy of Malaysia in Bahrain yesterday in the presence of ASEAN ambassadors and other dignitaries. The Malaysian Ambassador Ahmed Shahzan Abdulsamad welcomed the dignitaries. 

The ASEAN Declaration is the founding document of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It was signed in Bangkok on August 8 in 1967 by the five ASEAN founding members – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand – as a display of solidarity against communist expansion in Vietnam and communist insurgency within their own borders. 

The declaration states the basic principles of ASEAN: co-operation, amity, and non-interference. The signing date is celebrated as ASEAN Day every year. 

In his speech, the Malaysian Ambassador Ahmed Shahzan Abdulsamad extended undivided support and commitment to the well-being, peace and stability of Bahrain. 

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama wished all the ASEAN citizens — in Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam — on the occasion. A press release issued by US Secretary of State John Kerry said that “The United States looks forward to many more years of partnership with a strong, capable ASEAN, to make Southeast Asia, and the world, a better place.” 

Southeast Asia is among of the fastest growing dynamic regions in the world. “The region succeeds because its countries work together,” read an official statement to the media.

Yesterday marked the 48th anniversary of ASEAN – the organization at the centre of the Asia-Pacific region’s integration. 

“The collaboration  has helped keep the peace in Southeast Asia and lowered barriers to travel and trade, supporting the region’s economies in taking off. That growth has lifted millions of people out of poverty and has allowed many more achieve their dreams,” the statement read.

“This organization has brought together 10 very diverse countries with a combined population of over 600 million people. Under the motto of ‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community,’ ASEAN has drawn strength from its diversity and established a sense of shared purpose,” read the statement.