The 21st ASEAN Summit themed “ASEAN: One Community, One Destinity” was just opened on November 18 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, kickstarting a series of high-ranking meetings of ASEAN and between the Association and its partners.
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ASEAN leaders at the 21st ASEAN Summit, Phnom Penh, November 18, 2012 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
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In the opening speech, PM Hun Sen of Cambodia, the host country of ASEAN events, proposed some priorities for ASEAN cooperation, such as realizing the roadmap of ASEAN Community, the master plan on ASEAN connectivity, and agreements on economic linkages.
He also urged member countries to implement the Charter and related legal frameworks, maintain peace and security in the region, strengthen ASEAN's external relations and enhance its role and position in the international arena.
On the occasion, the ASEAN Institute of Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) was established an effort to boost peace, security and reconciliation in the region.
ASEAN leaders had a plenary session to discuss important issues. They officially appointed Viet Nam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh to be the next Secretary-General of ASEAN in the term of 2013-2017.