(VOVworld) – The 46^th ASEAN anniversary is a milestone on the bloc’s path to peace, security, stability, equality, democracy, development and prosperity. At a ceremony held Friday in Jakarta, Indonesia, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh emphasized that people are at the centre of building and developing the ASEAN Community, which he said, was indicated by the group’s theme this year “Our People, Our Future Together”. ASEAN will have both more opportunities and challenges as the target of an ASEAN Community by 2015 approaches, calling for greater internal solidarity to cope with regional and global challenges. The bloc will remain at the center of evolving East Asian regional development and activity among other blocs worldwide.

ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh (Photo: thephuketnews/vov)

On behalf of ASEAN’s partners, New Zealand’s Ambassador to ASEAN, David Taylor, reiterated their commitment to backing ASEAN’s regional and global integration. He expressed his hope for further cooperation between the two sides. Ceremonial activities included a martial arts performance, a photo contest for ASEAN youth, and demonstrations of members’ cuisines by the ASEAN women’s club. The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights took the occasion to organize a seminar on the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and the Phnom Penh declaration on the AHRD. Newly-published books on the AHRD and the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015 were also received by participants.