The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits concluded in Cambodia on Sunday, achieving fruitful results for greater regional cooperation toward the post-COVID-19 pandemic socio-economic recovery, as reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

“Within these four days, we have had a comprehensive and productive discussion on the way forward to strengthen ASEAN centrality and our value in relation with our external partners, particularly at a time when the world is facing the fast evolving complex regional and international issues,” Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said at the closing ceremony of the summits.

A total of 70 outcome documents and declarations covering the three pillars of ASEAN communities were adopted and noted at the 40th and 41st summits, with various cooperation frameworks with dialogue partners endorsed, said the prime minister.

“We have issued the Joint Statement on the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the DOC in 2002,” he said.

He added that the summits had adopted the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the 55th Anniversary of ASEAN, the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on ASEAN Connectivity Post-2025 Agenda for the ASEAN community building.

On Friday, the ASEAN leaders agreed in principle to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th ASEAN member, according to an ASEAN leaders’ statement.

Techo Hun Sen urged dialogue among ASEAN members. 

“I would like to stress that ASEAN centrality is the primary driving force for substantive dialogue and collaboration with our external partners through various ASEAN-led mechanisms,” Hun Sen said. 

“We maintain ASEAN unity regardless of circumstances for the best interests of the whole region.”

He said fostering solidarity and unity will remain ASEAN’s top priority in the coming years.

“As attested by this year’s spirit of togetherness, we have been able to address and overcome many challenges facing our region, thus enabling us to secure peace, prosperity, and harmony within our ASEAN family,” he said.

At the closing ceremony, Hun Sen handed over the gavel of the ASEAN Chair to Indonesian President Joko Widodo as the next ASEAN Chair.

ASEAN members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

African Times is a partner of TV BRICS, an international media network.

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