YANGON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar President U Win Myint on Wednesday called on Myanmar people to re-double efforts in promoting socio-economic development and actively participating in the ASEAN Community building process that will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and beyond.
U Win Myint made the call in his message on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The theme of this year is selected as "Resilience and Innovative ASEAN" which strengthens efforts to meet future challenges.
U Win Myint said Myanmar, as a responsible member of ASEAN, has been in full cooperation with other member states in the implementation of ASEAN Community Blueprints, regional integration and community building.
With a view to realizing an inclusive, united, resilient and innovative ASEAN Community, he said ASEAN is working together in improving the quality of lives of the people including through various cooperative activities in education, health, human resources development, environmental protection, disaster management and sustainability of natural resources.
He added that ASEAN is also placing high priority in the promotion of cultural cooperation and people-to-people engagements in order to forge a stronger sense of identity towards ASEAN.
Despite attaining many tangible achievements in community building efforts, the president warned that ASEAN today is facing with emerging challenges of traditional and non-traditional issues.
In addressing the issues of common concern such as transnational crimes, terrorism, cyber security, climate change and environmental degradation, food and energy security, he underlined that ASEAN has been able to demonstrate the collective strength and resilience that lies at the core and become more united in the face of these challenges.
Myanmar, along with Laos, joined the regional grouping in July 1997 at its 30th anniversary.