Thailand Backs ASEAN Vision 2045 For Deeper Regional Integration

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, May 26 (Bernama) -- Thailand has reaffirmed its commitment to deeper regional integration following the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (ACV 2045) at the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, a move expected to strengthen ties among member states and external partners.

Thai Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra signed the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future” during a ceremony held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on Monday.

“This aligns with Thailand’s priorities, such as bolstering safety and security, workforce development, healthcare promotion, connectivity enhancement, sustainable infrastructure development, and climate change adaptation.

“These initiatives are consistent with the Thai government’s ongoing policies and commitments,” he said in a statement here on Monday.

Jirayu said ACV 2045, together with its strategic plans, will be consolidated into a comprehensive document titled “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.”

He further elaborated that the vision addresses key areas, including political and security cooperation, economic advancement, socio-cultural initiatives, connectivity, and institutional capacity-building, with the aim of creating a strong, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN Community.

ACV 2045, a pivotal document shaping ASEAN’s trajectory over the next 20 years, was officially unveiled on Monday following its endorsement by regional leaders attending the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 will replace the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together document, adopted in 2015, which guided the development of the ASEAN Community over the past decade.

The Vision reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment to regional integration through its three foundational pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

-- BERNAMA