On 3 November 2019, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-Cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, presided over the Opening Ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. The Opening Ceremony was attended by ASEAN Leaders and spouses, Leaders of Dialogue Partners and spouses, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ASEAN Ministers and Ministers of Dialogue Partners, as well as ASEAN Senior Officials.

          In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha emphasised the need for ASEAN to advance partnership beyond the region to create peace and stability, stimulate dynamic economic growth, and promote sustainability in all dimensions. To achieve these goals, ASEAN needs a new “growth paradigm” that prioritises human capital development concurrently with environmental conservation. 

          Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha noted that ASEAN’s strong partnership this year has produced many concrete achievements, including the adoption of the ASEAN Leaders’ Vision Statement on Partnership for Sustainability and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. He congratulated the concerted efforts of ASEAN Member States in launching seven ASEAN Centres during Thailand’s Chairmanship in areas such as sustainable development, disaster relief, active ageing and social welfare, which will contribute towards realising a people-centred ASEAN Community. He also called for closer cooperation among all stakeholders to carry forth the aspirations of ASEAN’s Founding Fathers to build peace and prosperity for the benefits of future generations.

          During the ceremony, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, as ASEAN Chair, presented the ASEAN Prize 2019 to Dr. Jemilah Mahmood from Malaysia, who founded MERCY Malaysia in 1999 as an organisation that provides humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters and conflicts. The Opening Ceremony concluded with a video presentation on the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD), ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) and ASEAN Training Centre for Social Work and Social Welfare (ATCSW), signifying their official launch.