ASEAN to ease travel, mobility of labour

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was proclaimed a community through a declaration signed by the ASEAN leaders at its 27th Summit here on Sunday. The leaders stated that this was a historic development and an important milestone in the evolution of the 10-member grouping since its founding in 1967.

Simultaneously, the leaders endorsed “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together,” which charts the path for community building over the next 10 years. The forward-looking road map articulates the ASEAN goals and aspirations to realise “consolidation, integration and stronger cohesiveness as a community.”

Both the declarations were endorsed by the ASEAN leaders in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, among others.

For the people at large, according to the leaders, the declarations imply increased economic opportunities and access to quality jobs, wider choices and better quality products and services.

They said the people in the region would benefit from enhanced sustainable environmental governance and practices, equitable access to opportunities, ease of intra-ASEAN travel and doing business and mobility of skilled labour.

The ASEAN said that it would be a community, where improvements in transport linkages and infrastructure help people and businesses move efficiently. It would work more productively across borders, expand market reach and strategically source goods and services.

This apart, the people are expected to be better protected against pandemics, natural and human-induced disasters and calamities, transnational crimes and transboundary challenges. “They will continue to live in a more united, secure, peaceful and cohesive region,” the ASEAN stated.

Data that may be helpful:
Important Points:-

• The ASEAN Summit :- An annual meeting held by the member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in relation to economic, and cultural development of Southeast Asian countries
• ASEAN Headquarters :- Indonesia
• The 12th ASEAN-India Summit, chaired by the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. U Thein Sein, was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 12 November 2014
• 13th ASEAN-India Summit and the 10th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 21-22 November 2015

Source :- The Hindu, 23-Nov-2015