On 22 June 2019, H.E. Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, chaired the Plenary Session of the 34 th ASEAN Summit at the Athenee Hotel, Bangkok. The Meeting was also attended by Leaders of ASEAN Member States as well as the Secretary-General of ASEAN.
The Meeting exchanged views on how to enhance ASEAN Community building with a shared aspiration to ensure the sustainable and secure future of 640 million ASEAN peoples. The Meeting expressed support for Thailand's ASEAN Chairmanship theme of "Advancing Partnership for Sustainability" which could contribute to the realisation of a people-centred ASEAN Community, that leaves no one behind and looks to the future. ASEAN Leaders also concurred with the Prime Minister on the need to better prepare ASEAN for global uncertainties and challenges, such as the impact of the 4 th Industrial Revolution, trade friction and climate change. In this connection, they reaffirmed their commitment to the multilateral trading system and will work towards concluding the RCEP negotiations by the end of this year.
To further promote a sustainable future for ASEAN in all dimensions, the Prime Minister underlined the need to enhance ASEAN cooperation in addressing issues of common concern, including terrorism, transnational crime, marine debris and cybersecurity. The Leaders also called for ASEAN collective efforts to realise a seamless, digital and green ASEAN, promote sustainable fisheries and sustainable development agenda in the region. With a view to concretising partnership for sustainability, the Leaders adopted the ASEAN Leaders' Vision Statement on Partnership for Sustainability and the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Region. The ASEAN Leaders' Statement on the Cultural Year 2019 was also adopted to promote ASEAN identity and people to people connectivity.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs