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Issued 13 May 2005, ASEAN Secretariat
The Secretary-General of ASEAN Surin Pitsuwan will meet World Bank President Robert Zoellick in Washington on 15 May 2008 to discuss long-term cooperation in development and poverty alleviation to bridge the gap between old and new members of ASEAN. The ASEAN Secretariat is also exploring with the World Bank on specific actions that could be taken jointly to realise “Cool ASEAN, Green Capitals”, an initiative to connect the ten ASEAN capitals in a forum or network in the campaign for sustainable environment.
Dr Surin said, “I look forward to working with the World Bank on the various initiatives which will create a momentum in ASEAN-World Bank relations.”
Dr Surin will also raise the issue of collaborating with the World Bank on relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the areas ravaged by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.
On 12 May 2008, the ASEAN Secretariat, the World Bank and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs met to discuss relief efforts, and medium and long-term measures for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. All agencies and institutions pledged full support for the emerging ASEAN-led “Coalition of Mercy” for the Myanmar relief effort. Each will contribute its particular strength and expertise.
An ASEAN Emergency Rapid Assessment Team (ERAT) will be dispatched to Myanmar soon to determine the critical needs of the affected population. Dr Surin said his Office had been successful in securing entry visa for the ERAT members.
Dr Surin said, “They are going in immediately. One is already on the ground. More are going in today and tomorrow.” SG Surin added, “We have worked 24/7 to raise a level of trust and to allow our rapid assessment team in. We are trying to get around a lot of suspicion and sensitivities and mistrust. Our utmost concern is for the 1.5 million victims of Cyclone Nargis who are awaiting assistance in all forms from the outside world now.”
The ASEAN Secretariat has been tasked to draw up a needs assessment report for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers at their emergency meeting in Singapore on 19 May 2008. |
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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN on 7 January 1984, followed by Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.Menu - WHAT WE DO
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The rodmap for an ASEAN Community (2009-2015) was declared by the leaders in 2009. The ASEAN Community, anchored on three community pillars: Political-Security Community, Economic Community, Socio-Cultural Community was launched in 2015. The ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together was introduced in 2015 as a Post-2015 Vision. It comprises the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025
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