Indonesia has said it will promote a people-centred Asean during its chairmanship of the regional association in 2011.
"People-centred Asean is key to making the association relevant to the public and to the attainment of the objectives of the Asean Community," said Indonesia's permanent representative to Asean, ambassador I Gede Ngurah, on Thursday at the first official meeting chaired by Indonesia after assuming the Association of Southeast Asian nations chair early in 2011.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at a recent briefing by Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan at Istana Merdeka (Indonesia's Presidential Palace), also said in concert that, as Asean was a people-centred association, he would like the public to be more involved in its events.
Mr Susilo said that Indonesia was prepared to work together with the youth, students, business communities and civil society organisations, from preparation to implementation.
According to a news release from the Asean secretariat, Ngurah had reminded that Asean should also maintain an upward trajectory, apart from strengthening its internal consolidation.
"Deepening economic linkages and connectivity as stipulated in the Asean Community blueprints are also essential," he said.
Indonesia officially took over the Asean chairmanship from Vietnam on Jan 1, requesting for a swap with Brunei Darussalam which was initially supposed to succeed Vietnam.