CEBU, Philippines, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday signed the Cebu Declaration here and committed to promote a socially prosperous community within the region.

    The Cebu Declaration Towards One Caring And Sharing Community, as signed unanimously by 10 Heads of State from the ASEAN countries, cites the need to reduce poverty, protect the rights of children and women, improve education, and cherish the environment on their way to the economic integration by 2015.

    The document reaffirmed the ASEAN countries' commitment to realize the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations as part of their efforts of socio-cultural community building.

    The 10 countries also agreed to rely on the ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial bodies to achieve the goals of their collective social welfare with clear timelines.

    The ASEAN community was envisaged by the Cebu Declaration as reflecting the spirit of unity in cultural diversity and social harmony. The document said that a "We Feeling" should be introduced to promote ASEAN awareness, particularly among the younger generation of the member countries.

    The 12th ASEAN Summit officially opened on Saturday morning, with the full participation of Heads of State from the 10 member countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.