Asean succeeds in maintaining peace, stability in region — Reezal Merican

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has achieved a great deal of success, especially in maintaining peace and stability in the region since its establishment 50 years ago, said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Throughout its 50 years, Asean had been working hard to ensure this, notably by promoting nuclear non-proliferation, human rights and defence dialogues, he said in his keynote address at the Asean Commemorative Forum, here.

“The creation of the Asean Economic Community ( AEC) and the launch of the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity 2025 have resulted in a faster-growing economy in the region and it is expected to amount to over US$ 9.2 trillion by 2050.”

This, according to Reezal, would make the Asean region the fourth largest economy in the world.

The one- day forum attended by representatives from all 10 Asean member nations – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – was organised by the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI).

Speaking to reporters later, Reezal said cultivating awareness of the importance of Asean was crucial among the younger generation in the region.

Reezal said getting the younger generation interested in Asean was not easy, thus efforts must be made by all Asean member nations to develop that interest.

“There should be more programmes or subjects taught in universities and colleges about Asean and it is our responsibility to get the young engaged in the region’s development.

“To do this, in Malaysia, we have introduced the National Transformation 2050 ( TN50) plan as a platform to engage with youth in all development aspects,” Reezal said.

With this in mind, he said, the younger generation would hold the future of Asean in the next 50 years, therefore it was of vital importance that they were well aware of the Asean concept. — Bernama