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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong opened the 41st Asean Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences and the 15th Asean Regional Forum on Monday at the Shangri-la Hotel.
Describing the year as 'eventful' for Asean, Mr Lee said Singapore's chairmanship of the 10-member regional grouping, which coincided with the 40th anniversary of Asean, was the occasion of major celebrations across all member countries.
'The more our populations understand that Asean is relevant to their well-being, the deeper will be their sense of belonging and community, and the more we will be able to achieve in our integration efforts,' he said in his opening address.
Mr Lee highlighted two events during Singapore's chairmanship which stood out which will define Asean in the years ahead.
The first was Asean's response after Cyclone Nargis struck Southern Myanmar in May.
'The crisis tested Asean's unity. It forced us to consider what Asean meant to Myanmar, and in turn what Myanmar meant to the group. Fortunately Asean responded,' said PM Lee.
'All ten members recognised the responsibilities and obligations of membership. Just as we could not ignore political developments in Myanmar, neither could we stand aside from this humanitarian crisis when so many lives had been lost and many more remained at risk.'
The other milestone event was in November last year when the Asean Charter was signed.
'The Charter creates the institutional framework to make Asean a more effective and cohesive organisation, and to realise our vision of a vibrant Asean Community,' Mr Lee said.
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