This rate is also the worst among ASEAN countries.

Ten countries are members of ASEAN see www.aseansec.org 74.htm.

Many banking companies such as Bangkok Bank have operations in a number of ASEAN countries.

We support the establishment of an early warning system, as recommended by the ASEAN countries.

Moreover, Thailand is considering acceding to the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters among ASEAN member countries that has been finalised by the ASEAN legal experts recently.

Regarding ASEAN, Viet Nam played an active role in ASEAN Women Committee.

But the whole world, including most ASEAN countries, perceived Cambodia s stance as the result of enormous Chinese pressure.

Of particular importance was the Organization's continued backing of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration and implementation of the Vientiane Action Programme, which focused on accelerating ASEAN integration and narrowing the development gap among member countries.

Trashing the ASEAN Brand

ASEAN has been the hub for Asian regionalism, but some in Australia have proposed focusing only on the larger countries.

At our invitation, the European Union and ASEAN contributing countries have provided monitors for the implementation of the peace agreement.

Regional integration in ASEAN had encouraged intra ASEAN investment, which contributes to South South FDI flows.

We would like to thank delegations that have been cooperating with ASEAN and all those delegations that, by co sponsoring the resolution, join ASEAN and the affected countries in voicing their concerns and interest with regard to this issue.

There is, to start, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). But larger groupings ASEAN plus China and a future ASEAN plus Japan, South Korea, and India are being negotiated.

Exports have remained the main driver of economic performance for the ASEAN countries, contributing to 5.8 regional GDP growth in 2006. ASEAN foreign direct investment (FDI) flows reached US 38 billion in 2005, up by 48 from the previous year.

ASEAN member countries have concluded nine regional transport agreements since late 1998 on the mutual recognition of commercial vehicle inspection certificates ASEAN highway network development transit facilitation for goods in transit (with five technical protocols) and air freight service liberalization.

A year ago at their Cebu (Philippines) summit, the leaders of ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Convention Against Terrorism.

For example, the momentum could expand southward and stimulate ASEAN, which has bilateral FTAs with all three countries, to join the group.

And the Malaysian opposition leader Lim Kit Siang has said that Asian countries inaction reflects dismally on all ASEAN leaders and governments.

During the Second ASEAN UN Summit held in New York in September 2005, ASEAN had acknowledged the United Nations support for the realization of the ASEAN Security, Economic and Socio cultural Communities.

But larger groupings ASEAN plus China and a future ASEAN plus Japan, South Korea, and India are being negotiated.

ASEAN member States had adopted the ASEAN Declaration against Trafficking in Persons, particularly Women and Children in November 2004.

Here ASEAN 3 talks the talk.

Regional Sub Regional Conferences APEC, ASEAN

The Chiang Mai Initiative agreed by the Finance Ministers of ASEAN 3 countries in May 2000 enabled emergency liquidity to be made readily accessible by member countries in times of crisis.

ASEAN hoped that those developed countries which had not already made the commitment would do so and also attain 0.20 per cent of GNP for ODA to the least developed countries.

Moreover, some ASEAN member countries, like Singapore, have explicitly called for Aung San Suu Kyi to be allowed to participate in the 2010 elections.

The current maternal mortality rate in Indonesia is 307 per 100,000 live births (SDKI 2003). This rate is the worst among the ASEAN countries.

That ASEAN debacle has had serious consequences.

ASEAN cannot afford to stand by idly.

The seven member countries of ASEAN decided to implement economic roadmaps defining integration priorities, a testimony to their determination to achieve a single economic community.

Abe also stressed his intention to boost ties with Russia, promote cooperation with the ASEAN countries, and develop a strategic dialogue with Australia and India.

(ii) ASEAN Disaster Information Sharing and Communication Network, as provided for in the ASEAN Socio Cultural Community component of the Vientiane Action Programme

The intra ASEAN projects laid particular emphasis on exchange of knowledge and expertise through the ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Applications (SCOSA).

The ASEAN effort coincides with two other developments.

E.g. MERCOSUR, ASEAN or the EU Mexico FTA.

The protagonists that pressured the regime into relinquishing the ASEAN chair were not the usual Western human rights campaigners, but Burma s closest ASEAN neighbors.

In that connection, ASEAN is pleased to inform that it has concluded the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response in July 2005.

Mechanisms like the G 20 and ASEAN 3 (ASEAN, with China, Japan, and South Korea) should be used more actively for policy dialogue and surveillance.

For ASEAN, the episode was a lesson in assertiveness.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Third Committee experts)

Despite the different levels of economic development among ASEAN member countries, the Association wished to play a significant part in the wider progress of the Asia Pacific region.

At its 12th meeting, held in Indonesia on 5 and 6 August 2005, SCOSA had adopted new projects aimed at capacity building and strengthening cooperation among ASEAN countries.

The Chiang Mai Initiative aims to help affected countries to cope with disrupted capital flows and maintain exchange rate stability by creating a network of bilateral swap agreements and repurchase agreement facilities among the ASEAN 3 countries.

ASEAN government officials have since met to draft a text.