ASEAN's strength has the world's attention
The 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), which opened on July 30 in Manila, the Philippines, raised the curtain on the organization's 40th anniversary celebrations. Foreign ministers of the 10 ASEAN member countries unanimously agreed to designate August 8 "ASEAN Day" to promote the concept of regional integration.
On August 8, 1967, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand formed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which has since welcomed Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia into its fold. East Timor, which declared independence in 2002, is also seeking to become an ASEAN member state.
After 40 years of highs and lows, ASEAN has emerged as the second most successful example of regional cooperation after the European Union. Today's ASEAN, while basking in the glory of success, is marching forward with the times by turning crisis into a driving force.
