Introduction

The Philippines aims to steer ASEAN closer to realizing its vision of an ASEAN Community by 2020. In order to achieve this, ASEAN needs to fast track implementation of key programs and projects under the Vientiane Action Program (VAP).

Apart from the objective of broadening economic integration of the ten Member Countries of ASEAN, a serious challenge facing ASEAN is how to narrow the development gap among its members to quicken the pace of integration. It is not an easy task since the stages of political, social and economic development in ASEAN vary, such that there are countries that cannot cope with all the requirements of regional integration. Moreover, ASEAN needs to narrow the development gaps not only among ASEAN member countries, but also the gaps within each member country. Support for the development of sub-regional growth areas will facilitate bridging these development gaps.

A Caring and Sharing Community

A Philippine initiative at the 10th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) represented ASEAN’s goal to raise the living standards of people in the region. Programs, which promote social protection, environmental protection, human resource development and an ASEAN identity, fuel economic growth and contribute to regional stability. However, the key element is the political will of Member Countries and national efforts aimed at poverty reduction and equitable development, complemented by regional cooperation. Therefore, there is a need to streamline and harmonize national policies with regional objectives. Resources from ASEAN Member Countries should be mobilized to support the programs under the VAP. Finally, national coordination and support from Dialogue Partners and other external partners in institutional capacity building will help accelerate implementation of programs.

Engaging the Civil Society

Over the years, ASEAN has seen the growth of regional networks of non-governmental organizations. One of the most active of these groups is the ASEAN Peoples’ Assembly, which is an important partner of ASEAN in moving forward its integration initiatives. At the 12th ASEAN Summit, the Philippines will support the holding of the 5th ASEAN People’s Assembly, which coincides with the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.

Objective and Success Criteria

President Arroyo has chosen the theme for the 12th ASEAN Summit, entitled “One Caring and Sharing Community.” The theme will reflect the initiatives to be taken by the Philippines in ASEAN community building and common people’s participation. Further, we recognize that the strength of ASEAN is its youth who are building ASEAN’s bridges to the future.

The overall objective of the Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN is not only to engage the ASEAN Leaders in exchanging views and resolving issues affecting community building efforts but also to bring ASEAN’s activities to the common people in the grassroots level and make them better understand and appreciate ASEAN.

Mission and Vision

The Chairmanship’s vision is directed towards … “ a community conscious of its diverse cultures and bounded by a common regional awareness, where people strive for equitable access to opportunities for total human development regardless of gender, race, religion, language, or social and cultural background.”

The end goal of the Chairmanship is to help sustain the momentum towards a caring ASEAN where the standard of living of disadvantaged groups are raised and the women and youth are empowered; where the civil society is engaged; and special attention is given to recommendations on the promotion of health, food security and safety, environment protection, and the promotion of common values and norms.

The vision puts the ASEAN people at the center of regional integration with the Governments of Member Countries, Dialogue Partners and other friends of ASEAN providing them the means to fully participate in the process. We also see the need for a strengthened ASEAN Secretariat with an enhanced role to support the realization of our vision.

Mission Statement: The Chairmanship mission is “to steer ASEAN in the implementation of the Vientiane Action Program towards social protection and promotion of the rights of the vulnerable sectors in the community, in order to contribute to poverty alleviation and empowerment through projects implemented with dialogue partners and other supporters.”

By the end of the Philippine chairmanship, all outcome documents and decisions by the Leaders and the Ministers should reflect the overall theme of a caring and sharing community, that should result in the following:

1. a people-centered approach in ASEAN integration and community building;
2. clearer sense by the ordinary folks including the youth and other vulnerable sectors of the society of the community building efforts by the ASEAN Member Governments;
3. better understanding of the importance of an ASEAN Charter and other initiatives for regional peace and security;
4. stronger sense of regional awareness and common heritage of the region as may be discovered not only in ASEAN capitals but also in the rural areas; and
5. closer cooperation and understanding between ASEAN with dialogue partners.