Asia-Pacific

18th ASEAN Summit opens in Jakarta

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-07 11:29

JAKARTA - The 18th ASEAN Summit opened here Saturday with the theme of "ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations."

When addressing the opening ceremony, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that in face of disasters and conflicts "ASEAN can't be silent and do nothing."

Cooperation should be enhanced at multi-levels and between ASEAN and other regions to seek solutions to the challenges of energy and food security, disaster management, people trafficking and other problems the world faces, the president said.

He also called on all the member states to step up efforts to ensure the masterplan of ASEAN Connectivity can be implemented as soon as possible.

State leaders and heads of government from the 10 member countries of the organization will discuss ASEAN integration, economic recovery, ASEAN's role in international affairs and others issues during the two-day summit.