As Chairman of ASEAN in 2019, Thailand will host the 35^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits during 2 – 4 November 2019 at the Impact Muang Thong Thani Arena, Exhibition and Convention Centre. High level dignitaries attending the Summits include Leaders of ASEAN Member States, President of the Republic of Korea, Prime Ministers of Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand and Russia as well as Premier of the People’s Republic of China, the Special Envoy of the President of the United States, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the Managing Director of IMF will be Guest of the Chair.

          In the morning of 2 November 2019, ASEAN Foreign Ministers will participate in the 20^th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting and the 24^th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting to prepare for the 35^th ASEAN Summit. On the same day, they will meet with Representatives of Civil Society Organisations. Furthermore, new applicants to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) will sign the Instrument of Accession to TAC. The day concludes with the 35^th ASEAN Summit and plenary session to discuss developments in the Political and Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural Pillars.

           ASEAN gives priority to building regional sustainable security and strengthening cooperation in border management and cybersecurity. It intends to “connect the connectivities” based on the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 (MPAC 2025) in order to facilitate trade, investment and people mobility. Moreover, ASEAN recognises the necessity to prepare its citizens for new technological disruptions in the 4^th Industrial Revolution and the transformation into an ageing society.

         On 3 November 2019, His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, will preside over the Opening Ceremony of the Summits. It will be followed by the 22^nd ASEAN-China Summit, the 16^th ASEAN-India Summit, the 10^th ASEAN-UN Summit and the ASEAN Plus Three Leaders’ Interface with the East Asia Business Council (EABC).

         On 4 November 2019, Leaders will attend the 22^nd ASEAN Plus Three Summit, 7^th ASEAN-US Summit, Special Lunch on Sustainable Development, 14^th East Asia Summit, 22^nd ASEAN-Japan Summit and 3^rd RCEP Summit.

           The 35^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are the most significant meeting hosted by Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship within this year, as it is the conclusion of the chairmanship and is expected to issue or adopt several statements, declarations and other documents in areas such as sustainable development, climate change and education. On this occasion, ASEAN will also launch 3 ASEAN Centres namely, ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI), ASEAN Training Centre for Social Work and Social Welfare (ATCSW) and ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD).

          Furthermore, private sector-oriented activities will be held at the sidelines of the Summits. These are the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2019 on 2-3 November 2019 at the Impact Exhibition Hall and the 2^nd Indo-Pacific Business Forum on 4 November 2019 at the Royal Jubilee Ballroom, all conveniently within the complex of the Impact Muang Thong Thani Arena, Exhibition and Convention Centre. These events serve as platforms for Leaders to share their vision on the future direction and for governments and the private sector to find ways to forge partnerships to enhance economic cooperation and business opportunities within the region and beyond.

          The Closing Ceremony and the Handing Over of the ASEAN Chairmanship to Viet Nam will take place in the evening of 4 November 2019. However, Thailand will continue to serve its Chairmanship term until the end of the year.

          Press Releases and outcome documents of the Summits will be available at www.asean2019.go.th

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