ASEAN regional integration to contribute for global economic development.

ISLAMABAD -- Chairman ASEAN Committee Islamabad (ACI) Ambassador Nguyen Tien Phong on Sunday said that regional integration of ASEAN countries is not only essential for the economic prosperity of the ASEAN region but also important for global economic linkages and connectivity.

In the same month, the foundation of ASEAN was laid on August 8, 1967, he said.

The 55th anniversary of this month will be made with the determination that ASEAN will play its full role for economic prosperity, trade integration to promote peace and harmony with the other regions of the world, Chairman Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEANs) Committee Islamabad (ACI) and Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan, Nguyen Tien Phong on Sunday told reporter here.

The Ambassador economic and trade liberalization, multilateralism, credibility, global connectivity, economic stability, youth empowerment, maritime security, political stability, and regional to regional connectivity are part of ASEAN's regional economic vision.

While in interview with reporter on 55th Anniversary of ASEAN was established in August 8, 1967 ,he said that ASEAN reaffirmed its belief that regionalism and multilateralism are important principles and frameworks of cooperation, and that their strength and value lie in their inclusivity, rules-based nature, and emphasis on mutual benefit and respect.

Meanwhile he informed that the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) was held on August 3, 2022 in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.

The Meeting was chaired by Cambodia under the theme 'ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together.'

He said that in the meeting ASEAN reaffirmed commitment to address its common challenges and to sustain the momentum of ASEAN's community-building efforts with a strong sense of togetherness.

ASEAN also discussed the need to further strengthen engagement and cooperation with Dialogue Partners and external partners, including through existing ASEAN-led mechanisms, and the importance of ASEAN Centrality, credibility and relevance in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the regional and global endeavours amidst uncertainty and rapid changes in Southeast Asia and beyond.

The ASEAN underscored the importance of maintaining ASEAN's unity and Centrality in its community-building efforts and engagement with external partners, in promoting peace, security and stability as well as in enhancing regional resilience in response to common and emerging challenges, he said.

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