H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, is scheduled to attend the 22nd ASEAN Summit to be held on 24-25 April 2013 in Bandar Seri Begawan. Prior to that, H.E. Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, will also attend the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings to prepare for the 22nd Summit on 10-11 April 2013, comprising the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council and the ASEAN Coordinating Council.  

            The 22nd ASEAN Summit is the first Summit under the Chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam. Brunei has designated the theme “Our People, Our Future Together” for its Chairmanships in 2013. The theme reflects the importance of the role and participation of the peoples in moving forward the ASEAN Community and building the future of our region together. Under its Chairmanship, Brunei Darussalam will focus on following up on prior commitments and agreements of ASEAN to make concrete progress and outcomes.

            Discussions at the Ministerial Meetings are expected to focus on priorities of ASEAN under the chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam, follow-up on the key outcomes of the 21st ASEAN Summit and the preparations for topics of discussion by the Leaders at the 22nd ASEAN Summit, such as ASEAN Community building, external relations, promotion of ASEAN’s role in the global community, as well as current regional issues.   

            The 22nd ASEAN Summit will provide an opportunity for the ASEAN Leaders to review the progress in ASEAN Community building and discuss the future direction of ASEAN, as well as explore ways to further enhance our regional cooperation. The Leaders are expected to exchange views on important regional and international issues. 

            Prime Minister Yingluck is expected to focus on acceleration of ASEAN Community building and connectivity, deeper economic integration especially in the framework of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), addressing trans-boundary challenges such as human trafficking, drugs trafficking, disaster mitigation and haze, as well as enhancing the participation of the civil society in community building process and raising awareness on ASEAN among the young generation, as well as raising ASEAN’s profile in the global stage and key regional issues