ASEAN's 50th Year Celebration In Manila

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 (BERNAMA) -- The grand ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the formation of ASEAN took place at the Philippines International Convention Centre, in Pasay City, Manila Tuesday, to simultaneously mark the end of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM) meeting and related meetings. The celebration was aired life via Facebook starting at 11.15 am, beginning with a picture-taking session between Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte with member nation representatives before the delivery of the addresses of ASEAN leaders via video. According to Duterte, the celebration enabled the ASEAN community to appreciate and remember the roles of five founding fathers of ASEAN who slogged to realise the vision of forming ASEAN 50 years ago. “On this historical date, many achievements we can fete over their deeds and vision. “We enjoy peace, progress and togetherness as a regional block,” he said when delivering his address at the ceremony. Recollecting the history of the setting up of ASEAN, he reminded member nations to continue to endeavour to realise the hopes and aspirations of the people via the effort to create a regional block which is safe from the effect of corruption and cross-border crimes. Member nations, he said could co-operate closely to progress without needing foreign ideologies, to simultaneously prove the diversity in the region was not a weakness but a strength to face numerous challenges. “We are also proven capable of progressing at the rate of our own capability, way and value to simultaneously become an ASEAN block community which is stronger and high spirited,” said Duterte, who was confident the co-operation would continue to be strong and relevant in future. He also wanted members of ASEAN to form communities which were mutually respecting, understanding and continue to develop sustainably, without any groups being left behind. Among others, the programme for the ceremony included handing over of appreciation plaques to five founders of ASEAN, namely, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The ceremony was also enlivened with the handing over of numerous special awards in appreciation of the warriors of biodiversity and conservations, rice science and technology and young entrepreneurs from each country other than interesting performances from Filipino entertainers. The Malaysian delegation at the AMM was led by Foreign Minister Anifah Aman. -- BERNAMA