Jakarta (VNA) – A ceremony to celebrate the 57th ASEAN Day was held at the ASEAN Secretariat’s headquarters in Jakarta on August 8.

In his opening remarks, ASEAN Secretary General Kim Kao Hourn laid stress on the strength and unity of the “big family” ASEAN – a region rising from the ashes of conflicts, poverty and division to solidarity and development, adding the bloc has affirmed the role of the open regionalism and multilateralism to become a large economic market that is leading in digital renewal.

Over the past 57 years, ASEAN has consistently upheld the principles of respect for national sovereignty, rule of law, active dialogue, creating cooperation opportunities, and bolstering growth, thus carving out great achievements in building a stable, peaceful and proactive region, he said, adding the bloc has joined collective efforts to concretise the target of prosperity, resilience and inclusiveness of the whole ASEAN community.

He took the occasion to thank ASEAN’s partners for their close cooperation to consolidate and enhance the central role of the bloc in maintaining and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous region.

Delivering remarks via teleconferencing, Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said as Chair of ASEAN in 2024, Laos is making efforts to build a close and resilient ASEAN Community that is capable of seizing opportunities and handling current and emerging challenges in the context of rapid geo-political changes.

According to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, the culture of peace should be always the DNA of ASEAN. Southeast Asia, in which ASEAN has played a very key role in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity, has been the most stable region in the world. It has maintained a steady economic growth of 4.5%, higher than the global average, and become a global hub for tech innovation and trade.

Amidst the complexity of current geopolitical landscape, ASEAN should ensure commitments in promoting and protecting human rights, support consistent respect for international law, and enhance ASEAN’s central role in cooperation with partners in the framework of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific, she suggested.

The ASEAN Day is celebrated annually on August 8 to commemorate the founding of the association. The current member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

This year, the ASEAꩲN Secretariat organised various cultura⭕l exchange activities such as the opening of the ASEAN Heritage Building, an ASEAN cuisine festival, and an ASEAN overseas study exhibition./.