President conveys message on 59th Anniv. of ASEAN

Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma U Min Aung Hlaing, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, delivered a message to citizens of Myanmar and the peoples of ASEAN on the occasion of the 59th Anniversary of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, which falls on 8 August 2026.,The President commenced his message with greeting to the Esteemed Citizens of Myanmar and the Peoples of ASEAN and stated that today marks the 59th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).,On this auspicious occasion, the President extends his heartfelt wishes for the good health, prosperity, peace, and well-being of the people of Myanmar and all the peoples of the ASEAN region.,The message continued stating that established on 8 August 1967 with the vision of building “a united Southeast Asian region,” ASEAN has, over the past five decades, successfully evolved into a rules-based and people-centred regional organization founded upon shared interests, regional stability, and mutual respect and trust.,The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), signed in 1976, and the ASEAN Charter, adopted in 2008, have reinforced the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and rules-based cooperation, thereby providing a solid foundation for ASEAN’s unity and continued development.,ASEAN has now entered a period of transition from the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The year 2026 marks a historic milestone, signifying the commencement of the implementation of the Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans.,It is also a year in which important foundations are being laid for ASEAN’s long-term growth and development. At present, as the ASEAN Chair for the year 2026, the Republic of the Philippines is leading ASEAN under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”,This theme reflects ASEAN’s commitment to promoting regional unity, resilience, and sustainable development. Today, ASEAN has grown into a regional grouping with a population of more than 680 million people.,Guided by the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), ASEAN has continued to promote regional peace, stability, and cooperation. Moreover, through ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), ASEAN has provided for dialogue and consultation on regional and international security issues.,In the economic sphere, ASEAN continues to stand as the world’s fifth-largest economic bloc and is actively promoting digital and green economic transformations. Furthermore, through cooperation in education, healthcare, youth and women’s empowerment, disaster management, and humanitarian assistance, ASEAN has continued to support efforts to improve the quality of life and well-being of its peoples.,Nevertheless, ASEAN continues to face a range of challenges, including strategic competition among major powers, geopolitical tensions, transnational crimes, online scams, energy and food security concerns, and the impacts of climate change.,As ASEAN Member States face differing social, economic, and political challenges, their respective interests and policy priorities also vary. In this regard, any tendency to focus solely on addressing domestic issues within individual Member States could have significant implications for ASEAN’s centrality.,Therefore, ASEAN must continue to uphold ASEAN Centrality by fostering unity, mutual respect, and understanding among its Member States while further strengthening an inclusive and rules-based regional architecture. Myanmar joined ASEAN in 1997 and has now reached its 29th year of membership.,Throughout this period, Myanmar has actively contributed to ASEAN through responsible, active, and constructive engagement. It has participated actively in ASEAN Community-building efforts, regional cooperation initiatives, and various ASEAN mechanisms. In addition, Myanmar continues to work closely with fellow ASEAN Member States in advancing the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.,Myanmar successfully held a free and fair multi-party democratic general election between December 2025 and January 2026, in accordance with the will of the people. The newly elected Government will continue to advance peace, stability, and national development through a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led process.,At the same time, as an ASEAN Member State, Myanmar will continue to uphold and adhere to the fundamental principles of ASEAN and work closely together with its fellow ASEAN Member States in promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.,Over the past 59 years, the achievements of ASEAN have been the result of the consistent adherence to ASEAN Centrality and the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, underpinned by mutual respect, trust, responsibility, and the spirit of the “ASEAN Family” among its Member States.,While preserving these strong foundations, ASEAN should continue to build a more resilient, innovative, sustainable, people-centred community in accordance with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the principle of “Leaving No one Behind.”,At the same time, he urgeed all ASEAN Member States to continue working together to uphold and promote ASEAN’s unity, centrality and core values, with a view to further enhancing the quality of life of the peoples in the region.,On this auspicious occasion of the 59th Anniversary of ASEAN, the President sincerely hopes that all the peoples of ASEAN will continue to uphold the spirit of unity and the ASEAN Family, and work together even more actively in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.,He also wished that the ASEAN region will continue to remain peaceful and stable, achieve sustainable development, and grow into an even stronger and more resilient community. May all members of the ASEAN family enjoy good health, happiness, prosperity, and an abundance of auspiciousness.