By : Nedal Zubeidi
Jordan Daily – In a gathering to mark the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mr. Supark Prongthura, Ambassador of Thailand and Chairperson of the ASEAN Committee in Amman (ACA), delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of resilience and connectivity in the face of global challenges.
The event was attended by high-level officials, including Minister of Environment, Mr. Muawieh Radaideh, and Mr. Muhammad Abu Wandi, Director General of the Department of Asia, Oceania, and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, alongside ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei.
Ambassador Prongthura congratulated the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024 and its focus on “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience” as the organization’s central theme for the year.
He underscored the increasing need for global unity amid various crises, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, as well as food and energy insecurity, economic instability, and climate change.
“Today, our world confronts multiple challenges, and we all need to be resilient and connected,” Prongthura stated, calling for strengthened multilateralism to tackle global issues. He highlighted ASEAN’s role in upholding peace, stability, and security in Southeast Asia and beyond, noting the bloc’s population of over 670 million people and its collective GDP exceeding $3.2 trillion.
Prongthura also praised ASEAN’s coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as a testament to the organization’s commitment to cooperation and the “ASEAN way” of fostering dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts. He stressed that these efforts laid a foundation for addressing other pressing global concerns, such as climate change and economic recovery.
The Ambassador noted ASEAN’s progress in realizing its Community Vision, with key achievements across its three pillars: the Political and Security Community, the Economic Community, and the Socio-Cultural Community. Areas of cooperation range from defense and counter-terrorism to environmental protection and women and youth empowerment.
Ambassador Prongthura also expressed optimism about growing partnerships between ASEAN and West Asia, particularly through the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Framework of Cooperation for 2024-2028, which aims to strengthen ties in various sectors.
He extended his appreciation to Jordan for its unwavering support of the ACA and ASEAN member states, noting the vital role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in fostering stronger relationships between ASEAN and Jordan.
In concluding his remarks, Prongthura reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity through partnership and cooperation on a global scale.
