กรุงเทพ--2 พ.ค.--กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to be here with all of you this morning to officiate the opening of the ASEAN Youth Camp 2007: Fostering Friendship for Sustainable Environment”. As Thailand is one of the founding members of ASEAN, I am particularly pleased to extend my warm welcome to all the participants of the ASEAN Youth Camp to Bangkok, the birthplace of ASEAN.
The ASEAN Youth Camp 2007 is indeed timely as this year marks an important milestone in ASEAN’s history. We are not only celebrating the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN but also embarking on a new chapter of this regional organisation. Our Leaders have agreed during their Summit in Cebu early this year to accelerate our integration process with a view to realise the establishment of an ASEAN Community by the year 2015. We are also in the process of drafting, for the first time, an ASEAN Charter which will serve as a constitution transforming ASEAN into a rule-based organisation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Looking back to the past forty years of ASEAN’s history, one can only admire the great changes in ASEAN that have taken place. From five Member Countries in 1967 to ten countries at present. From a small forum focusing primarily on security issues to an emerging ASEAN Community that will touch on many aspects of people’s lives. From an unknown entity in Southeast Asia to an internationally recognised and respected regional grouping.
However, to uphold the centrality of ASEAN and to enhance
its standing in the evolving regional architecture, the ASEAN Community we are building should be a community of sharing and caring societies. Our community should also be people-centred, dynamic and resilient to further promote the well-being of ASEAN peoples.
You may be wondered by now what ASEAN Community building means for young people like all of you. Let me share with you some of my thoughts.
First of all, a stronger ASEAN identity will give you a sense of knowing who you are and where you belong in the regional and global community.
An ASEAN Community will provide an environment of peace and stability that allows you to pursue your dreams and goals.
A competitive and prosperous ASEAN Community will mean more jobs and opportunities for you when you enter the working world.
An integrated ASEAN Community will also bring about a better quality of life as a result of economic development.
Eight years from now, all of you will witness a dynamic change in our regional landscape. Therefore, you will have to be well prepared so as to take advantage of our regional integration. You should also take an active role in regional cooperation as all of you are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but partners of today. By simply addressing issues commonly faced by people in your respective country, you can make valuable contribution to the achievement of our ASEAN Community.
I am pleased to learn that the theme ‘Fostering Friendship for Sustainable Environment’ was chosen for the ASEAN Youth Camp 2007. Half a billion people in ASEAN depend primarily on our diverse natural resource endowments for economic development and livelihood.
However, with the accelerated industrialisation and urbanisation in ASEAN Member Countries, our natural resources are under stress. The effects of global climate change are also becoming evident. We have experienced emerging environmental issues during the past decade ranging from floods and droughts to forest fires and transboundary haze pollution. Therefore, the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources are essential to the long-term economic growth and social development of our countries and region.
I strongly hope that during the next four days of your gathering, you will learn to appreciate our environment and have a chance to exchange your views on issues relating to environmental protection and preservation. I also hope that this Youth Camp will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about your ASEAN friends and to foster your closer friendship so that you can all prepare for the future together.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On this note, I wish the ASEAN Youth Camp 2007 every success. May I also wish all of you a pleasant stay in Thailand.
Thank you.
กองการสื่อมวลชน กรมสารนิเทศ กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ โทร. 643-5170 โทรสาร. 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th--จบ--
-พห-
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to be here with all of you this morning to officiate the opening of the ASEAN Youth Camp 2007: Fostering Friendship for Sustainable Environment”. As Thailand is one of the founding members of ASEAN, I am particularly pleased to extend my warm welcome to all the participants of the ASEAN Youth Camp to Bangkok, the birthplace of ASEAN.
The ASEAN Youth Camp 2007 is indeed timely as this year marks an important milestone in ASEAN’s history. We are not only celebrating the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN but also embarking on a new chapter of this regional organisation. Our Leaders have agreed during their Summit in Cebu early this year to accelerate our integration process with a view to realise the establishment of an ASEAN Community by the year 2015. We are also in the process of drafting, for the first time, an ASEAN Charter which will serve as a constitution transforming ASEAN into a rule-based organisation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Looking back to the past forty years of ASEAN’s history, one can only admire the great changes in ASEAN that have taken place. From five Member Countries in 1967 to ten countries at present. From a small forum focusing primarily on security issues to an emerging ASEAN Community that will touch on many aspects of people’s lives. From an unknown entity in Southeast Asia to an internationally recognised and respected regional grouping.
However, to uphold the centrality of ASEAN and to enhance
its standing in the evolving regional architecture, the ASEAN Community we are building should be a community of sharing and caring societies. Our community should also be people-centred, dynamic and resilient to further promote the well-being of ASEAN peoples.
You may be wondered by now what ASEAN Community building means for young people like all of you. Let me share with you some of my thoughts.
First of all, a stronger ASEAN identity will give you a sense of knowing who you are and where you belong in the regional and global community.
An ASEAN Community will provide an environment of peace and stability that allows you to pursue your dreams and goals.
A competitive and prosperous ASEAN Community will mean more jobs and opportunities for you when you enter the working world.
An integrated ASEAN Community will also bring about a better quality of life as a result of economic development.
Eight years from now, all of you will witness a dynamic change in our regional landscape. Therefore, you will have to be well prepared so as to take advantage of our regional integration. You should also take an active role in regional cooperation as all of you are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but partners of today. By simply addressing issues commonly faced by people in your respective country, you can make valuable contribution to the achievement of our ASEAN Community.
I am pleased to learn that the theme ‘Fostering Friendship for Sustainable Environment’ was chosen for the ASEAN Youth Camp 2007. Half a billion people in ASEAN depend primarily on our diverse natural resource endowments for economic development and livelihood.
However, with the accelerated industrialisation and urbanisation in ASEAN Member Countries, our natural resources are under stress. The effects of global climate change are also becoming evident. We have experienced emerging environmental issues during the past decade ranging from floods and droughts to forest fires and transboundary haze pollution. Therefore, the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources are essential to the long-term economic growth and social development of our countries and region.
I strongly hope that during the next four days of your gathering, you will learn to appreciate our environment and have a chance to exchange your views on issues relating to environmental protection and preservation. I also hope that this Youth Camp will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about your ASEAN friends and to foster your closer friendship so that you can all prepare for the future together.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On this note, I wish the ASEAN Youth Camp 2007 every success. May I also wish all of you a pleasant stay in Thailand.
Thank you.
กองการสื่อมวลชน กรมสารนิเทศ กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ โทร. 643-5170 โทรสาร. 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th--จบ--
-พห-