Danial Norjidi in Phnom Penh
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam delivered a titah as he addressed the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) at the Plenary Session of the 20th Asean Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday.
In his titah, His Majesty began by congratulating Myanmar for holding its by-election recently and stated that this augurs well for the future of the country.
His Majesty also expressed condolences to Thailand and Malaysian leaders on the unfortunate loss of lives during the recent attack in southern Thailand.
The monarch went on to express his appreciation to Cambodia, and welcomed its emphasis on Asean's centrality and its encouragement towards greater engagement of the people and other stakeholders.
His Majesty stressed the importance of remaining committed to achieving the goals that Asean has set out to accomplish in realising the Asean Community by 2015, and this is in view of the many challenges still being faced across the sectors under the three pillars of Asean.
His Majesty highlighted that Asean needs to continue sharing its concerns through consultations; strengthening the Asean Secretariat; and bringing on board all of Asean's partners in order to work together in achieving the targets and address the challenges being faced.
This is especially important as Asean is carrying out its commitments towards the Asean Economic Community in light of the global economic uncertainty.
For similar reasons, His Majesty felt that Asean should move forward with the Asean Connectivity agenda and encourage greater participation from the private sector as well as other regional and international stakeholders.
His Majesty believed that this would help enhance the Asean's integration efforts and make it more competitive and able to shape wider regional economic cooperation.
Similarly, in order to maintain the peace and stability of the region, His Majesty highlighted the need to address the problems that directly affect the people, such as in tackling the illicit drug trade, which has not only created social problems but also has implications beyond the political and economic aspects.
In this regard, His Majesty expressed full support towards the Drug-Free Asean 2015 initiative and encouraged the officials to double their efforts on this.
The press release from the Prime Minister's Office also said that that His Majesty went on to raise the importance of defusing tension and conflict through promoting greater understanding and tolerance.
In this regard, His Majesty once again strongly supported Malaysia's Global Movement of Moderates initiative, and believed that as a multi-cultural and multi-religious region, Asean is in a good position to promote moderation at all levels.
At the same time, His Majesty highlighted that bringing the youth together, such as through youth exchanges, would also further promote partnerships and mutual understanding, in this regard, His Majesty reiterated the importance of the role of youth for the future, and believed the importance of laying the foundation for them to build upon and encouraging them to play an active role in Asean's community-building efforts.
In concluding his titah, His Majesty stated that in line with the theme "One Community, One Destiny", Asean must ensure that not only efforts being carried out are meaningful to the people, but also for Asean to remain committed to working together to successfully realise the Asean Community by 2015.
His Majesty delivered the titah during the Plenary Session of the summit, which was chaired by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The session saw the leaders discuss a number of different issues, including the Phnom Penh Declaration on "Asean: One Community, One Destiny" and the progress of the implementation of the Asean Charter and Roadmap for an Asean Community.
The leaders also deliberated on the progress on the implementation of the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity; realising Drug-Free Asean 2015; and the Global Movement of Moderates.
Earlier yesterday morning, before the Plenary Session, His Majesty attended the opening ceremony of the 20th Asean Summit and the celebration of the 45th Anniversary Asean, which was held at the Nuon Srey Hall, Peace Palace.
His Majesty was welcomed upon arrival at the Peace Palace by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and his wife, Madam Lokchumteav Kattiprithbindit Bun Rany Hun Sen.
Yesterday's opening ceremony, which was officiated by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was also attended by other Asean leaders with their delegations and saw His Majesty join other leaders for a ceremonial group photograph.
His Majesty also attended a luncheon which was hosted by the Cambodian Prime Minister at the Peace Palace.
Accompanying His Majesty at the Summit yesterday were Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office; Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office and other senior officials.
Dipetik dari - Borneo Bulletin
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