Singapore will focus on the themes of ‘resilience’ and ‘innovation’ when it takes the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2018.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) hands over the gavel to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a transfer of Asean Chairmanship at the closing ceremonies of the 31st Asean Summit and Related Summits in Manila on 14 November  (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told the media about the theme on 15 November after receiving the ASEAN chairmanship handed over by the Philippines at the closing ceremony of the 31^st ASEAN Summit in Manila.

With this theme, ASEAN will strengthen solidarity, improve the capability of flexibly coping with challenges posed by the digital revolution, seize opportunities, and equip citizens with necessary skills to work towards a resilient and creative ASEAN.

The theme will also help ASEAN remain a central and dynamic driving force that can deal with challenges and opportunities amid the rapidly changing world.

PM Lee said in the face of some non-traditional security issues, terrorism and cyber security problems jeopardizing the region’s security, ASEAN countries need to grasp the themes of resilience and innovation to respond to challenges.

He stressed that the countries’ coordination to devise measures for coping with challenges will prove ASEAN a valuable and effective organisation.

(Source: VNA)