ASEAN, associated entities to join forces for community building

04-May-2017

Source:  ASEAN Secretariat News

ASEAN, associated entities to join forces for community building

JAKARTA, 4 May 2017 – The ASEAN Secretariat hosted the inaugural Forum of Entities Associated with ASEAN today in an effort to strengthen cooperation for community building efforts. The forum brought together 150 participants comprising of ASEAN parliamentarians, legal experts, bankers, youth, civil society representatives, women, disability advocates and business and professional associations representing 56 entities and centres associated with ASEAN.

Dr. AKP Mochtan, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs Department, highlighted the importance of enhancing ASEAN engagement with its people. He called for entities to “work closely together to build an inclusive ASEAN community.” In light of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary this year, DSG Mochtan encouraged all entities to participate in the commemorative activities and to explore possible collaborations to celebrate the golden anniversary.

For her part, Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN and Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives shared her message through a video. “I am heartened by the spirit of inclusivity, openness, amity and cooperation that underpins this inaugural event—especially in this year that the Philippines serves as Chair of ASEAN, which also happens to be the 50th anniversary of the Association.”