Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders wave before the official opening of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu Jan. 13, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    CEBU, Philippines, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 12th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) opened here Saturday morning.

    Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is chairing the summit, greeted leaders of other ASEAN member countries at the gate of the meeting hall at the Shangri-la Hotel Mactan. Then the leaders, all dressed in white Philippine national costumes, posed for a group photo on a lawn outside the meeting hall.

    Speaking at the opening of the summit, Arroyo said the Philippines is proud to be hosting the ASEAN Summit at such an important time. At the time when the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks is faltering, ASEAN wants to stand up and proclaim its support for keeping the doors of global trade open.

    And there is concern about nuclear proliferation, the leaders of the ASEAN member countries stood firm in their commitment on the nuclear issue of the Korean peninsula, she added.

    And finally, ASEAN is committed to expanding its trade area to create one of the world's greatest trading blocks, Arroyo said. "So I believe the future of ASEAN is bright indeed."

    She said, "I hope we can make progress on issues of energy independence, human rights, economic integration and social justice."

    "As the theme of the summit 'One Caring and Sharing Community' suggests, we want to advance the sense of community in our shared interest to look after each other in terms of social justice, economic development and common security," she added.

    Arroyo also elaborated on the Philippines own peace model in the southern island of Mindanao as an example of how nations working together can make positive things happen.

    She reiterated her thanks to the leaders of other ASEAN member countries who have been helping the success of the Philippine model for dealing with the flashpoint area of Mindanao.

    "We've been able to meld together confidence building measures grounded on strong interfaith dialogue and cultural awareness, investments in economic and basic infrastructure development and mutual security arrangements to keep the peace in Mindanao," she said.

    The opening ceremony was followed by a retreat discussion, at which the ASEAN leaders will talk about the future directions of the regional grouping, and about its internal as well as external relations.

    The annual summit of the grouping, which is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, was originally slated for December 2006, but was suspended abruptly, citing "adverse weather disturbance."