ASEAN SUMMIT and Related Summits (Bali, Indonesia 13- 19 November 2011)

The importance of ASEAN for Seychelles
Since it was founded, ASEAN has progressed towards forming a strong regional association that has taken an active role towards the establishment of an `ASEAN Community` by 2015. The significant impacts from global economic turbulence demonstrated the relevance of ASEAN in ensuring economic growth throughout the ASEAN member states is maintained.
The recent 19th ASEAN Summit + 6th East Asia Summit in Bali, Indonesia was attended by the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippine, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) and Australia, the People`s Republic of China, the Republic of India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America and The Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand on behalf of their respective Leaders.
This is the evidence of ASEAN importance role in the regional development of South East Asia Countries and the global economic expansion. ASEAN has ample forests, natural resources and commodities, strategic maritime space and resources, huge population with dynamic youth. ASEAN region consist of diverse religious and ethnic makeup within an open societies whom embrace moderation with an overall population of more than half a billion, half of which is the new middle class and have combine GDP of USD 1,5 trillion.
This clearly shows that ASEAN is a worthy economic partner of any other region in the world. Special Envoy of The Republic of Seychelles for ASEAN, Mr.Nico Barito attended the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and is honoured to present Seychelles view during one the major theme "ASEAN Connectivity" symposium together with the Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community.
Special Envoy of Seychelles for ASEAN expressed that being a small nations, the strength of Seychelles is not in terms of physical asset. Mr.Barito mentioned, "Today Seychelles has increasing ability to speak with collective voice in international forum, on tourism, environmental management, climate change, oceanic resilience (combat piracy) which enhances our capacity to contribute to the resolution of global issues as well as for dialogue cooperation and which seeks to bundle development, economic integration, and regional infrastructure into a common vision and set of goals".
Taking into consideration, the active role of Seychelles in COMESA ‘The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa’ which is one of the pillars of the African Economic Community with the preferential of free trade area; so that eventually ASEAN businesses will accede to Seychelles as hub to Africa especially within the Sub-Sahara region, consistently to the approach of South-South Cooperation.
Mr.Barito also highlighted the potential of Seychelles International Business Authority and its offshore facilities and how Seychelles may work closely with ASEAN and its member countries to engage reciprocal ASEAN connectivity through private sector and dialogue partners, to ensure access to public services, social safety nets, eco-marine tourism, development of small medium enterprises, and financial inclusion scheme.
Seychelles highly admire the ASEAN One Vision, One Identity and One Community and its principles to enhance regional resilience by promoting greater political security, economic and social cultural cooperation. At closing, Mr. Barito conveys the best wishes from the government and peoples of Seychelles for the longstanding good-friendship with ASEAN members and reemphasized the commitments to bridge ASEAN to explore the development of people-to-people connectivity and economic development with Seychelles and beyond.