An Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Committee in Doha (ACD) has been formed to promote solidarity and unity among all southeastern nationals that are resident in Qatar.

The other mandate of the ACD is to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) cultural identity among the local population as well as the Qatar government.

“The ACD is a newly-formed committee in Qatar based on the initiative of the former Thai ambassador to Qatar, Suvat Chirapant, who was acting on the directives of Asean leaders and according to section 43 of the Asean charter, which stipulates a mandate that all Asean countries’ embassies abroad should form a committee in their host countries,” ACD chair and Philippine Ambassador Crescente R Relacion said yesterday.

He was speaking to reporters on the sideline of the 45th anniversary celebration of the creation of Asean held at the Philippine School Doha.

“We have already initiated a number of cultural events under the former Asean chairmanship by the Malaysian ambassador including Asean dinner night held at Katara in June, which featured cultural dances from all the seven Asean countries,” Relacion said.

He mentioned that part of the activities of the ACD included the sports tournament with active participation of the members of the community.

“Other activities that we are considering for the future are Asean family day, which is being planned for the second week in December. We intend to organise a picnic and get-together among all Asean citizens here in a bid to foster friendliness among ourselves,” he stated.

He said that an art and painting contest was being planned in November while plans were also on cards to hold more cultural events.

However, as part of the 45th anniversary celebrations and to bolster relations between member-states, Asean has agreed to form different communities such as Asean Economic Community (AEC) by 2015; Asean Political-Security Community (APSC) by 2015; and Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) by 2020.

“To build on what has been constructed over the years in the field of political and security co-operation, Asean leaders have agreed to establish APSC with the aim to ensure that countries in the region live at peace with one another and with the world in a just, democratic and harmonious environment,” Relacion said.

According to the ambassador, AEC shall be the goal of regional economic integration by 2015.

“AEC aims to achieve certain goals such as a single market and production base among members; a highly competitive economic region; a region of equitable economic development; and a region fully integrated into the global economy,” he mentioned.

Relacion explained that AEC will help eliminate tariffs among Asean members thus creating a zero tariff regime apart from creating a free flow of goods and services within the region.

To whether a similar move will be made at the Asean-GCC relations level, he said: “Asean-GCC co-operation is at the ministerial level and hopefully a joint meeting of the two blocs will be held soon.”

He explained that ASCC aims to contribute to realising an Asean community that is people-oriented and socially responsible with a view to achieving enduring solidarity and unity among the peoples and member-states of Asean.

“This community will seek to forge a common identity and build a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and where the well-being, livelihood and welfare of the peoples are enhanced,” he said.