SINGAPORE, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded its 33rd summit here on Thursday with a pledge to stay in the course of economic integration.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, "We have taken considerable strides towards a more united, resilient and innovative ASEAN."
This is just the beginning of a new and exciting chapter of ASEAN, said the prime minister. "We must continue to uphold the ASEAN centrality framework and engage our partners to keep our region open and inclusive."
"We must stay in the course of economic integration and pool our talents and resources to improve our people's lives," he added.
Also at the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Lee ceremoniously handed over the gavel, the symbol of the ASEAN chairmanship, to Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha whose country will assume the rotating chair of ASEAN for 2019.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The 33rd ASEAN summit and related meetings were held here on Nov. 11-15 with the theme "Resilient and Innovative."
