New York, 14 November 2008
Thailand delivered the tenth and final instrument of ratification of the ASEAN Charter when Ambassador Don Pramudwinai, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations, deposited the document with Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN, at the Thai Mission here on early Friday, 14 November.
“This is certainly an occasion to celebrate for the 570 million people of ASEAN,” said a beaming Secretary-General, upon receiving the Thai document.
"This means that when the ASEAN Leaders gather at their annual Summit in mid December, the ASEAN Charter will have come into force," Dr Surin told reporters.
Two days earlier, on 12 November, Philippines deposited its instrument of ratification of the ASEAN Charter and a day later on 13 November, Indonesia deposited its instrument of ratification.
The ASEAN Leaders signed the ASEAN Charter last November at the 13th ASEAN Summit. They urged their member states to fully ratify it by the end of 2008. All member states have now responded to their call.
When they meet again in Chiang Mai, Thailand for their 14th ASEAN Summit on 15-18 December, they will celebrate not only the full ratification of the ASEAN Charter but also the entering into force of the new basic law of ASEAN. It will be a rules-based and people-oriented organisation with its own legal personality.
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