Ban Ki-moon calls for enhanced partnership with southeast Asian bloc to promote peace, development

Elaborating the UN chief said, "Ultimately, we can only prevent climate disasters by addressing climate change, stressing the need to finalize a robust legal agreement on climate change in 2015. At the same time, the post-2015 development agenda must also be rights-based, with particular emphasis on women, young people and marginalized groups, the Secretary-General said. "The ASEAN region is one of the most diverse in the world, representing many of the world’s great cultures, faiths and traditions. Peace and sustainable development for all the people of the region depend on harmonious relations among communities and nations. "We must avoid the divisive effects of rising inequality, which often evolve along ethnic or religious lines. The UN stands ready to work with all of you to promote human rights for stability and development." Other areas of collaboration include peacekeeping, as well as the fight against corruption, transnational organised crime, terrorism and other non-traditional security threats, he added. On broader issues, the Secretary-General applauded the various efforts to resolve tensions and conflicts in the region, noting for example that the border between Cambodia and Thailand has been calm. In addition, the Thai Government has initiated peace dialogue with one of the southern insurgent groups, facilitated by Malaysia, and the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are now moving towards a comprehensive peace agreement. Myanmar, the UN chief added, has been going through an "unprecedented" reform process. However, he remained concerned about ongoing communal violence, and urged the Government and all communities to address all contributing factors. "The reform process in Myanmar can only succeed fully if all groups in the country feel safe and part of the whole, secure in the realization of their human rights." On the margins of the summit, Ban met separately with several leaders, including those from Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia, discussing issues such as Syria, sustainable development and peacekeeping.