His Majesty along with other ASEAN Leaders and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, then attended the Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit. Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen. At the Plenary Session, His Majesty in a titah welcomed His Excellency Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the Summit. His Majesty highlighted that ASEAN is in a favourable position for continued growth, as the region is projected to grow by 4 point 6 per cent in 2023, surpassing the global growth projection of 3 per cent. Despite facing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN has continued to leverage on advancements in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In this regard, His Majesty welcomed the proposal to establish an ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which will provide a strong foundation for a secure and interconnected ASEAN digital economy therefore bringing more opportunities and confidence to the region. Touching on climate change, His Majesty highlighted that it remains a global challenge that requires urgent collective action as devastating forest fires, haze incidents, and extreme weather events have resulted in significant economic and financial losses. Therefore, His Majesty expressed pleasure with the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change to be hosted in Bandar Seri Begawan and expressed appreciation to ASEAN colleagues for their support.

 Earlier, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Indonesia in a speech, underscored the importance of maintaining ASEAN's unity and Centrality, in ensuring the region remains peaceful and stable.

 In his titah, His Majesty extended full support to His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic as the country takes over the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024 and expressed appreciation to His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia for his excellent Chairmanship of ASEAN throughout this year.

 The Plenary Session included presentations on global economic developments by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The Leaders underlined the need for ASEAN to be adaptive, responsive and forward-looking, and able to anticipate opportunities and address emerging challenges and future shocks towards making ASEAN an epicentrum of growth. At the end of the Summit, the ASEAN Concord the forth; ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue; ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on ASEAN as an Epicentrum of Growth; ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Disability Inclusive Development for a Resilient and Prosperous ASEAN Community; ASEAN Leaders

Declaration on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crisis; ASEAN Leaders' Statement on the Development of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement; ASEAN Declaration on Early Childhood Care and Education in Southeast Asia; ASEAN Declaration on Gender Equality and Family Development; ASEAN Declaration on Sustainable Resilience; ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change to the 28th Session of Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC COP28 and the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework were adopted.

Source:
RTB NEWS

by RTB NEWS

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