Le Luong Minh will serve as the Secretary General of ASEAN from 2013 to 2017. He was born on September 1, 1952, in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam. Before assuming his post as ASEAN`s Secretary General, Minh was Vietnam`s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - New Secretary General of ASEAN Le Luong Minh has said the organization`s members should find common ground to bring the organization to greater heights.

"The organization should improve policy implementation across political, economic and socio-cultural domains. ASEAN should also improve national and regional coordination," said Minh here on Wednesday.

Minh will serve as the Secretary General of ASEAN from 2013 to 2017. He said ASEAN faces many challenges, including the dispute in South China Sea and the establishment of the ASEAN community by 2015.

Le Luong Minh was born on September 1, 1952, in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam. Before assuming his post as ASEAN`s Secretary General, Minh was Vietnam`s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, Surin Pitsuwan, former Secretary General of ASEAN, said the organization should look into the welfare of the region.

"ASEAN should manage its tasks efficiently," Surin said.

He said ASEAN should respect human rights. He also expressed hope that ASEAN, under the leadership of the new secretary general, will promote regional integration.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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