Opening of the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting

On the morning of August 8, the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-47) officially opened at the International Convention Center in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, opening a series of major conferences between ASEAN and partner countries, as well as the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the 21st ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF-21) taking place from August 8-10.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh led the Vietnamese delegation to attend these events.

Myanmar President Thein Sein (center) with foreign ministers of 10 countries and ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh (right cover) at the opening ceremony of the 47th AMM. Photo: TNO

In his opening speech, President Thein Sein of Myanmar - the current ASEAN Chair - highlighted the great achievements that ASEAN has achieved over the past 47 years, and stated the determination of ASEAN member countries to continue to strive to successfully build a strong, peaceful, and prosperous ASEAN Community.

ASEAN needs to promote its central and leading role in building a regional security structure, on the basis of enhancing the value of regional cooperation tools and frameworks; at the same time, it needs to promote intra-bloc economic connectivity, narrow the development gap, eradicate hunger and reduce poverty, effectively respond to emerging challenges, and move towards a sustainably developed ASEAN Community.

The Myanmar President also stated that after 47 years of establishment and development, more than ever, ASEAN needs to promote solidarity, enhance prestige and position, and create a solid foundation for the ASEAN Community to enter a new stage of development after 2015.

Also on the morning of August 8, ASEAN foreign ministers paid a courtesy call to Myanmar President Thein Sein. After the opening session, ASEAN foreign ministers held the annual meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Commission (SEANWFZ).

As planned, on the afternoon of August 8, ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with the Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights as well as have a plenary meeting and a closed session.

According to Vietnam+