“Enhancing Connectivity, Empowering Peoples” is the official theme for the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, to be held during 23-25 October in Cha-am Hua Hin. It originated from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s vision of ASEAN as a Community of Action which is able to act decisively and in a timely manner to threats and challenges facing ASEAN, a Community of Connectivity where peoples, goods, and investment can travel freely within the region, and a Community of Peoples where people have equitable access to human development opportunities.
To realize this vision, the 15th ASEAN Summit will focus on “Enhancing Connectivity” by promoting people-to-people contact both in terms of infrastructure development and strengthening contacts through educational cooperation and making use of ASEAN common roots and cultures to create better understanding among the peoples of ASEAN. The meeting will also focus on “Empowering Peoples” by, among others, strengthening educational cooperation and inaugurating the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) This important body will serve as the region’s main body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights of the peoples of ASEAN, particularly children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th