Secretary-General of ASEAN
at the ASEAN Foundation Seminar
on Good Corporate and Social Governance
ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, 17 January 2007

I wish to thank the ASEAN Foundation for inviting me to deliver the opening remarks at this Seminar on Good Corporate and Social Governance.
As you are all aware, this year is the 40th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. To commemorate this important event, a number of activities will be organised throughout 2007 in the ASEAN region as well as in other parts of the world to promote awareness about ASEAN and its culture, economy, politics, values and so on. Most importantly, the ASEAN identity must be brought to the people of ASEAN.
The organisation of this Seminar which has brought together, among others, government officials, academics, business and civil society representatives and students of ASEAN affairs to discuss and share experiences on good corporate governance and social responsibility, is timely. It will contribute to a better understanding of ASEAN and the challenges it faces as the people reflect on 40 years of our association.
Rules-based ASEAN is being consolidated. Since ASEAN came into existence in August 1967, many agreements have been concluded among ASEAN Member Countries as well as between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners/other bodies interested in pursuing relations with ASEAN. However, there is no formal constitution or charter in ASEAN. With the changes affecting ASEAN’s agenda and future well-being, the need for such a document is even more compelling.
The Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint for the ASEAN Charter and the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 adopted at the just concluded 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, is a testimony that ASEAN is committed to deepening and widening regional integration and based it on predictable rules and work method.
With the adoption of the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint for the ASEAN Charter, the process of drafting the Charter is to start immediately. The Charter, expected to be adopted at the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore in November 2007, will contribute to making ASEAN a more rules-based organization with effective and institutionalised implementation mechanisms. There will be more accountability and transparency. Hopefully, quality will lead to more credibility and strength for ASEAN’s future development.
As a rules-based regional organisation, ASEAN provides tremendous potential and opportunities for business to operate in the region. At the same time, just like elsewhere in the world, the business community in ASEAN also needs to play its part in the process of regional integration by contributing resources for the endeavour. Economic progress must be sustainable and our environment should not be degraded with the high and rapid growth. Business and civil groups must work together to prevent the undesirable social impact brought about by rapid globalisation and regionalisation. A strong devotion to a philosophy of good corporate governance and social responsibility is essential.
It is my belief that the governments, business community and all other stakeholders in the region can work closely to make ASEAN dynamic, stable and prosperous where caring and sharing is a hallmark. In achieving this, communication and feedback are important. I hope the discussions and exchanges in this Seminar will reinforce this process of good messaging and networking.
I declare the Seminar open. I wish all of you a fruitful day.

Opening Remarks by H.E. Ong Keng Yong
Secretary-General of ASEAN at the ASEAN Foundation Seminar on Good Corporate and Social Governance ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, 17 January 2007 I wish to thank the ASEAN Foundation for inviting me to deliver the opening remarks at this Seminar on Good Corporate and Social Governance. As you are all aware, this year is the 40th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. To commemorate this important event, a number of activities will be organised throughout 2007 in the ASEAN region as well as in other parts of the world to promote awareness about ASEAN and its culture, economy, politics, values and so on. Most importantly, the ASEAN identity must be brought to the people of ASEAN. The organisation of this Seminar which has brought together, among others, government officials, academics, business and civil society representatives and students of ASEAN affairs to discuss and share experiences on good corporate governance and social responsibility, is timely. It will contribute to a better understanding of ASEAN and the challenges it faces as the people reflect on 40 years of our association. Rules-based ASEAN is being consolidated. Since ASEAN came into existence in August 1967, many agreements have been concluded among ASEAN Member Countries as well as between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners/other bodies interested in pursuing relations with ASEAN. However, there is no formal constitution or charter in ASEAN. With the changes affecting ASEAN’s agenda and future well-being, the need for such a document is even more compelling. The Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint for the ASEAN Charter and the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 adopted at the just concluded 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, is a testimony that ASEAN is committed to deepening and widening regional integration and based it on predictable rules and work method. With the adoption of the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint for the ASEAN Charter, the process of drafting the Charter is to start immediately. The Charter, expected to be adopted at the 13th ASEAN Summit in Singapore in November 2007, will contribute to making ASEAN a more rules-based organization with effective and institutionalised implementation mechanisms. There will be more accountability and transparency. Hopefully, quality will lead to more credibility and strength for ASEAN’s future development. As a rules-based regional organisation, ASEAN provides tremendous potential and opportunities for business to operate in the region. At the same time, just like elsewhere in the world, the business community in ASEAN also needs to play its part in the process of regional integration by contributing resources for the endeavour. Economic progress must be sustainable and our environment should not be degraded with the high and rapid growth. Business and civil groups must work together to prevent the undesirable social impact brought about by rapid globalisation and regionalisation. A strong devotion to a philosophy of good corporate governance and social responsibility is essential. It is my belief that the governments, business community and all other stakeholders in the region can work closely to make ASEAN dynamic, stable and prosperous where caring and sharing is a hallmark. In achieving this, communication and feedback are important. I hope the discussions and exchanges in this Seminar will reinforce this process of good messaging and networking. I declare the Seminar open. I wish all of you a fruitful day.