On 8 August 2017, the Grand Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN was held in Manila, the Philippines, in conjunction with the Closing Ceremony of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, Rotating Chair of ASEAN, and foreign ministers or their representatives of ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Dialogue Partners and other countries attending the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, people from various sectors of the Philippines, and Members of the Diplomatic Corps to the Philippines attended the event. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) attended the event upon invitation.
President Duterte stated that today was a milestone for nations and peoples in Southeast Asia. We are stronger, more vibrant, and more robust as an ASEAN Community. We proved that what we share is more valuable than our differences, that our diversity is a strength rather than a weakness, and that regionalism—developed at our own pace and under our own terms and with our values—can work. It is important for ASEAN countries to further strengthen solidarity and fully realize the dreams and aspirations for our peoples. We want a region that is secure, stable and sustainable and inclusive in its growth—where no one is left behind and everyone has the opportunity to realize their potentials.
Mr. Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, pointed out that ASEAN has fostered a paradigm that creates the environment for cooperation and collaboration despite their own national interests and differences. The ASEAN forefathers have provided the road map to perfect this paradigm, which is the 3 C’s – consultation that leads to consensus that leads to cooperation. ASEAN countries are living in peace, stability, prosperity, with ASEAN at the center of the evolving regional architecture. ASEAN has found its own way. Going forward, ASEAN will march on to build the better future with the additional 3 C’s, namely community, centrality, and connectivity.
The celebration started with a video of leaders of ASEAN Member States expressing congratulations on the 50th anniversary. Afterwards, the founding fathers of ASEAN were rewarded with respects and awards, which was followed by cultural performances of ASEAN Member States.