The 25th Summit of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) began today at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. This Summit will have an in-depth discussion on the future directions of the ASEAN Community beyond 2015. The Summit is expected to adopt the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration form the ASEAN community post 2015 vision. The Summit will also adopt the declaration on strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat and reviewing the ASEAN Organs to enhance the capacity , coordination and synergy of ASEAN institutions.

Regional and International issues of common interest and concern are on the top of the agenda at the Summit, particularly those having significant impact on peace and stability in the region like South China Sea issue.The leaders will also adopt the ASEAN Joint Statement on Climate Change. Configuring the best approaches to position ASEAN strategically amidst shifting regional landscape both in terms of Geo-economic and Geo-politics is another important topic before the Summit . The theme for this ASEAN Summit is “Moving Forward In Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community ” .

During the Summit, the leaders of ten nation regional grouping will also engage with the top leaders of India, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and United States. Our Correspondent reports that the leaders are expected to discuss ways and means to further strengthen and deepen their partnerships with dialogue partners of ASEAN and East Asia Summit.

They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest like maritime security , energy and food security , disaster management and pandemic diseases .

ASEAN came into being in 1967 when Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand joined hands to form the regional grouping . Brunei, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia joined it later making it a 10 Nation Grouping. The Summit is the Association's Highest policy making body and the chairmanship rotates alphabetically among the member states annually.