Closing Ceremony of the 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (center) at a press conference. (Photo: Kim Dung-Chi Giap/Vietnam+)

Speaking at the ceremony, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said that on November 22, ASEAN member states witnessed a landmark event in the region's history: the signing of the Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Community, and the official adoption and signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the ASEAN Vision 2025, which will guide ASEAN for the next 10 years.

Prime Minister Najib Razak affirmed that ASEAN today has developed far beyond the hopes and expectations of its predecessors. The formation of this common community has demonstrated to the world that ASEAN can become the most competitive regional bloc in the Asia-Pacific region and have significant influence on the international stage.

According to him, the formation of the ASEAN Community does not mean the end of the process of regional development, but only the beginning. Now, efforts to achieve full unity and integration across the three pillars – Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural – need to be doubled.

The achievements and formation of the ASEAN Community based on the three pillars could not be accomplished "overnight," and that is why ASEAN developed the 2025 Vision to continue the roadmap for community building (2009-2015). The ASEAN Community will begin its new journey from January 1, 2016.

At the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Najib Razak handed over the ASEAN chairmanship to Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, expressing confidence that under Laos' leadership, the ASEAN Community would continue to prosper, and pledging support for Laos during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2016.

At the press conference following the closing ceremony, host country Prime Minister Najib Razak affirmed that the 27th ASEAN Summit and related Summits had concluded successfully.

ASEAN leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in implementing the ASEAN Community Roadmap (2009-2015), affirming their commitment to strengthening solidarity and further deepening linkages over the next 10 years by implementing the roadmap under the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN Vision 2025.

Regarding the central role of ASEAN, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to bringing ASEAN closer to its people by promoting the building of a truly people-centered ASEAN.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, he stated that ASEAN leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability, enhancing mutual trust and understanding, and exercising restraint in conducting activities in accordance with the principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

ASEAN leaders also agreed to expedite the completion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) and to strictly and fully implement the Declaration of the Parties on the Conduct in the South China Sea (DOC).

In addition, at the meetings, the leaders also addressed a number of other regional and international issues of common concern such as combating terrorism and extremism, illegal immigration, peaceful movements, climate change, and smog.

According to Vietnam+