ASEAN 51st founding anniversary marked

Embassies hold flag hoisting ceremony

By Michelle Fe Santiago

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 8: The embassies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries marked on Wednesday the ASEAN 51st founding anniversary with a flag hoisting ceremony and a brief programme at the Malaysian Embassy.

The ASEAN group is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Except for Singapore, the other nine ASEAN countries have a diplomatic mission in Kuwait.

“Today marks the 51st anniversary of the ASEAN, since it was founded on 8th August 1967. If we compare ASEAN with a man, ASEAN today is a matured adult full of life’s experiences, positive and negative. As a regional grouping, it has shouldered responsibilities for promoting the well-being, more secure, stable and peaceful environment for its people, region as well as the world,” stated Ambassador of Thailand and current Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) Dusit Manapan as he welcomed all the distinguished guests to the auspicious occasion.

Among the guests of honour were Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs of the State of Kuwait Ali Suleiman Al-Saeed, Heads of Mission of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia and India. Present also were Ambassador or Burnei Haji Ahmad Haji Jumat, Cambodia Charge d’ Affaires Tak Sovanny, Indonesia Charge d’ Affaires Mr. Gantosori, Ambassador of Lao People’s Democratic Republic Sisonxay Ngaovongsi, Malaysia Charge d’ Affaires Muhammad Nur Anuar Nordin, Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar Aye Khaing, Philippine Charge d’ Affaires Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot and DCM Tran Van Minh from Vietnam as well as officials and staff of ASEAN embassies.

The ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) was established in May 2011. The primary objective of the ACK is to maintain and strengthen relations between ASEAN and Kuwait and it also serves to promote awareness on the roles and functions of ASEAN.

Inception

Manapan outlined that since day one of its inception with the five founding member countries with the vast diversity and with a total population of less than 200 million producing primary commodities mostly for their own consumption and living in the rivalry of territorial disputes and cold war , ASEAN has been consistent in pursuing its aims and purposes enshrined in the Founding Declaration or Bangkok Declaration namely to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavour and to promote regional peace and stability by abiding respect for justice and the rule of law.

“ASEAN has grown to become a highly competitive community of 10 vibrant and fast growing economies with a total population of 620 million and a combined output exceeding 2.5 trillion US dollars and the ASEAN spirit of “Unity in Diversity” has been instilled. We have some good reasons to be proud of our success even though there are still many challenges lying head to overcome,” pointed out Manapan.

He added that the success of the ASEAN rests on a big part on its open, inclusive and outward-looking nature. ASEAN has never failed to embrace and cultivate ties with external partners.

“Our leaders from generation to generation have well realized the importance of external linkages in the community-building efforts. Besides several regular meetings with all key global players, regional groupings including the GCC and international organisations, up to now ASEAN has 11 Dialogue Partners which include the EU and the United Nations, 78 accredited Ambassadors from non-ASEAN member states and organisations around the world and 42 ASEAN Committees in the Third Countries,” stated Manapan. In the local front, Manapan reiterated that ACK will continue to work to deliver the ASEAN profile as well as to foster close collaboration with the local Kuwaiti authorities and the private sector at all levels. On behalf of the ACK, he also expressed the group’s sincerest gratitude to the host government for its utmost support.

The event was capped by a group photo of the ASEAN Ambassadors and tour of the mini exhibition of ASEAN arts and crafts, a cultural presentation of songs and dances then it was concluded with a brunch featuring a wide array of delectable ASEAN cuisine.