BANGKOK, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Thailand is ready to host the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on Nov. 2-4, the country's foreign ministry said on Friday.
The ministry said its main purpose of hosting the ASEAN summit is to ensure cooperation among ASEAN member states and other countries for sustainability in the region.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Busadee Santipitaks said the summit would take place at a convention complex in Bangkok's adjacent Nonthaburi province.
Busadee also said the ASEAN summit will discuss issues related to the three pillars of ASEAN, including the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
In regard to the political-security aspect, Busadee said the summit would discuss sustainability, connectivity within and outside the region, and ASEAN 4.0, among other topics.
In regard to the economic pillar, Oramon Sapthaweetham, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said the summit would discuss comprehensive and sustainable ASEAN economic development and updates on negotiations related to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) including opening up new markets.
Saranpat Anumatrachakit, inspector-general of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, said the socio-cultural agenda would include connectivity among ASEAN people and plans for human security in the future.
Saranpat said two ASEAN centers for the elderly people and social welfare will be established.
