Around 3,000 delegates and members of the press are expected to attend the upcoming 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Cha-am Hua Hin, said Ms. Vimon Kidchob, Director-General, Department of Information and Foreign Ministry spokesperson, in a joint press conference with Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, on 21 October. All necessary preparations have been finalised and arrangements ready to welcome delegates who will be coming to the Summits and other related meetings, which began with informal working dinners by senior officials on 21 October.
According to Mr. Srivihok, senior officials and ministers responsible for the ASEAN Political-Security Community, Economic Community Socio-Cultural Community Councils would meet on 21 and 22 October to prepare for the Summits, which officially commences on 23 October. “Enhancing connectivity, empowering peoples” serves as an over-arching theme of all meetings — ASEAN, ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is expected to focus on issues relating to his vision of ASEAN as a Community of Connectivity, a Community of Peoples. On connectivity, Thailand attaches importance not only to connectivity in terms of infrastructure and trade, but also movement of people, IT, knowledge, education and culture. Also to be raised are challenges that the region has to face, including food and energy security, climate change, pandemics, natural disasters and the financial and economic crisis. These issues are all expected to feature prominently in the Leaders' discussions.
A number of concrete outcomes are expected after the Summits, noted Mr. Srivihok. These include: the USD 120 billion Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM), to be launched by early next year, contributing to regional economic recovery efforts and financial liquidity; and the development of the ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve with the aim of early operationalisation under a permanent office.
During the Summits, the Leaders will also follow up on the progress of China's initiatives to promote infrastructure development in ASEAN, including the USD 10 billion China-ASEAN Fund on Investment Cooperation and the USD 15 billion Commercial Credit, including USD 1.7 billion Preferential Loans; cooperation with Japan to deal with global warming and efficient use of energy as well as on closing the developing gap among ASEAN member countries; cooperation with the Republic of Korea on the latter's “Low Carbon Green Growth” initiative for dealing with climate change and maintaining sustainable development, including Korea's commitment in allocating USD 100 million from its initiative on “East Asia Climate Partnership” to support ASEAN member countries to better respond to climate change; cooperation with India towards achieving USD 70 billion trade value within two years; as well as expediting implementation of various FTAs between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, including China, Japan, Korea and India.
One of the highlights of the 15th ASEAN Summit and key deliverables of the Thai chairmanship is the inauguration of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on ASEAN Human Rights (AICHR). On 23 October, the ASEAN Leaders will issue a declaration to mark the occasion. The Commission will also convene its first meeting concurrently with the ASEAN Summit.
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