Former Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Le Luong Minh has called for more efforts of and closer cooperation among the group’s member nations to promote intra-bloc development.
ASEAN Former Secretary General Le Luong Minh (L), Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Centre) and new ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi (R) at the ceremony (Source: AFP/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Former Secretary General of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Le Luong Minhhas called for more efforts of and closer cooperation among the group’s membernations to promote intra-bloc development.
In his speech a ceremonyof office transfer in Jakarta, Indonesia on January 5, Minh highlighted thesignificance of the formation of the ASEAN Community, which he described as animportant milestone proving the group’s dynamic development as well as itsmember states’ political spirit and solid commitments.
For his part, new ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi showed his honourand pride to take on this position.
He emphasised the need to maintain and enhance the central role played by ASEANin the context of complicated regional and global developments.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi remarked that apart from fosteringits development to bring benefits to people in the region, ASEAN needs to domore for the world.
While mentioning common challenges ASEAN will face in the future, she called onmember nations to continue active contributions to the group’s development.
On the occasion, the ASEAN Secretariat organised theground-breaking ceremony for its new building which is situated next to theexisting one. The 16-floor building is expectedto be completed after one year of construction.-VNA
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ASEAN Former Secretary General Le Luong Minh (L), Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Centre) and new ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi (R) at the ceremony (Source: AFP/VNA) 
