ASEAN is ready to implement a number of measures, including the strengthening of its existing food security mechanisms, to tackle the rising food prices and ensure longer-term adequacy of rice supply to prevent any adverse impact on the ASEAN economies. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan said that the ASEAN region, being a net exporter of [...]
The Ambassador of Cambodia to Indonesia, H.E. Khem Bunneang, today deposited Cambodia’s instrument of ratification of the ASEAN Charter to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan. The simple ceremony, which took place at the ASEAN Secretariat, was witnessed by ASEAN Ambassadors and representatives of the ASEAN embassies in Jakarta. During the ceremony Dr. Surin [...]
The Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Surin Pitsuwan hailed the completion of signing of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement following five years of substantive negotiations between the ASEAN Member States and Japan. The signing of the AJCEP Agreement brings to three the number of free trade agreements signed by ASEAN with a major Dialogue [...]
The ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, participated for the first time since he assumed office in the 13th High Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) held in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam on 9-10 April 2008. He deliberated with the HLTF-EI on key strategic issues pertaining to the implementation of the ASEAN [...]
ASEAN welcomes the impending appointment of the first US Ambassador to ASEAN as a significant gesture of the US in recognising the importance of ASEAN as the premier regional organisation in Southeast Asia. Mr. Scot Marciel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia, has been nominated by the Bush Administration as the first U.S. Ambassador to [...]
Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan thanked H.E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for their support of the ASEAN Charter process Viet Nam ratified the ASEAN Charter on 14 March, the fifth ASEAN Member State to do so. His Excellency, H.E. Pham [...]