Twenty first ASEAN Summit concluded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The 21st ASEAN Summit Phnom Penh was held on 18 November 2012 at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen was the Chairperson for the 21st ASEAN Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The head of states of the ASEAN members and the Secretary-General of ASEAN participated in the 21st ASEAN Summit and discussed about things like progress of the Implementation of ASEAN Charter and Roadmap for an ASEAN community.

Issues Discussed

1.    Follow-up to the 20th ASEAN Summit
2.    The Progress Report on the Implementation of Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity
3.    Signed Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
4.    Exchange of View on Regional and International Issues

A Leaders’ Statement on the establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was also issued during the summit.

Document Signed and Adopted

1.    Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
2.    ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD)
3.    Concept Paper on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC)
4.    ASEAN Leaders’ Joint Statement on the Establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC)

H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh- the candidate from the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was appointed as the upcoming Secretary General for ASEAN for the next five year term by the ASEAN Head of States. The nomination was done on the basis of alphabetical rotation plan for next five year that would start from January 2013 and end in December 2018.

ASEAN

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was created on 8 August 1967 at Bangkok, Thailand after ASEAN Declaration (also called Bangkok Declaration) was signed between the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. With time 5 more South Asian countries joined the group namely Brunei Darussalam joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999. Today, ASEAN is a 10-member group by now.  The group was formed with a basic idea of promoting social progress, economic growth and cultural development between the member nations and talk on the differences in a peaceful manner.