The 24th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit will be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, from May 10-11.
In attendance will be the heads of state of 10 ASEAN countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand. “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community” is the over-arching theme of the Summit.. The Summit is expected to focus on setting the priority areas for acceleration in implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, setting future initiatives to vitalise ASEAN and formulating programmes in promoting ASEAN external relations, among other issues.
ASEAN was established by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand on 8th August 1967 to promote peace and economic growth in the region. India and the ASEAN member countries share strong bilateral and trade ties. In 2011-12, the India-ASEAN trade reached $79.3 billion.