The Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI) held a seminar on promoting relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Latin America in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on July 13.

Non-traditional challenges facing both Southeast Asian and Latin America are climate change, the scarcity of water resources, natural disasters, diseases, terrorism and threats to cyber security

This is one of the activities marking the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN (August 8, 1967).

Speaking at the seminar, Viet Nam’s designated Ambassador Dang Xuan Dung said despite geographical distance, Southeast Asia and Latin America share common and intertwined interests in politics, security, economy, trade, culture and social affairs.

ASEAN’s 50-year history has proven that peace and stability play a key role to development and prosperity of each nation, he said, stressing that one of the greatest successes of ASEAN is preventing conflicts and building a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in Southeast Asia and part of Asia-Pacific, helping ASEAN nations complete their economic targets and consolidate a united and strong group.

In the context of globalisation, ensuring peace and stability in a region is interconnected with and inseparable from that in other regions, he said, noting that any irresponsible act can cause instability and conflicts that affect not only economies in that region but also all over the world with unpredictable consequences.

The ambassador highlighted non-traditional challenges facing both Southeast Asian and Latin America, which are climate change, the scarcity of water resources, natural disasters, diseases, terrorism and threats to cyber security.

Such challenges require the two regions to intensify cooperation and coordinate actions in a timely and effective manner, for development and prosperity in each region.

At the seminar, the ambassadors of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia and the Philippine Consul General shared their views on cultural exchange and economic and trade cooperation between Southeast Asia and Latin America, as well as prospects for cooperation between ASEAN and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur).

Eduardo Sadous, Director of CARI’s Asia Affairs Committee, applauded the dynamic development and solidarity of ASEAN while stressing potential for cooperation between ASEAN and Latin America in general and Mercosur in particular.

(Source: VNA)