On the picture H.E Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja of Indonesia, H.E Ambassador Mr. Ahmad Nazri Yusof of Malaysia,H.E Ambassador Jamie Victor B. Ledda of the Philippines, E Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa of Vietnam and H.E Ambassador Pornprachai Ganjanarint.
By Roy Lie A Tjam
H.E. Ambassador, Ahmad Nazri Yusof of Malaysia welcomed the guests to the flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary, he did so on behalf of the following honourable colleagues:
- H.E Ambassador Jamie Victor B. Ledda of the Philippines,
- H.E Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja of Indonesia,
- H.E Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa of Vietnam,
- H.E Ambassador Pornprachai Ganjanarint of Thailand,
- H.E Ambassador Mr. Ahmad Nazri Yusof of Malaysia
- the ASEAN Committee and family of The Hague.
The flag hoisting ceremony of 2017 took place on the premises of the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague as Mrs. Zuraini Abdul Ghani hosted as the Master of Ceremony. The Embassy of Malaysia is the current chair of the committee “ASEAN Committee The Hague” (ACTH). The program included speeches, songs, and dances in which some of the Ambassadors demonstrated their skills of performing arts. The unveiling of the ASEAN Ladies Circle logo was also an integral part of the program. Similar celebrations took place in the capitals of ASEAN Member States besides The Hague.
Ambassador Ahmad Nazri Yusof, commenced the ceremony by expressing his remarks through extending a warm and cordial welcome to the special guest, Madam Pauline Krikke, Mayor of The Hague.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Yusof assured Madam Krikke that her presence was a tremendous honor to each and every distinguished guest here today which reflected the cordial, important relationship established between the countries of ASEAN and the Netherlands. Ambassador Yusof extended his warm welcome to Mr. Peter Portman, Director for the Department of Asia and Oceania.
For additional pictures courtesy of the Malaysian Embassy, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157684956149600
ASEAN History, mission and vision
This year’s ASEAN Day celebration is significant and historic for ASEAN as it marked 50 years of ASEAN existence. 50 years ago, 8 Aug 1967 to be percise, five founding fathers of ASEAN signed the Bangkok Declaration and ASEAN was born.
The five ASEAN founding fathers are: former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak, former Foreign Ministers Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso Ramos of the Philippines, S. Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat Khoman of Thailand. Consequently, membership expanded beyond the initial member states (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) to nations such as Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
ASEAN was established during a tumultuous period with primary aims to maintain peace and security, and promoting social economic development in the region amidst the Cold War and post-colonial period. At this point in time, the region was facing a myriad of uncertainties, compounded by internal and regional conflicts.
ASEAN has now become a family of ten nations of varied identities, cultures and religious background, yet embracing the same ideals of shared cooperation for peace and mutual prosperity as one harmonious committee.
Economically, ASEAN has demonstrated impressive growth and remarkable progress. ASEAN achieved an average of 6% annual growth over the last decade, compared to the global average of 4% and is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest single market by 2030. Collectively, ASEAN economy is third largest in Asia with a combined GDP exceeding USD 2.5 trillion. ASEAN bilateral trade with the EU had reached USD 200 billion mark, and with the Netherlands alone exceeding EUR 31 billion in 2016, an increase of 5.78% from 2015, making ASEAN the Dutch’s second largest trading partner.
The most recent milestone is the successful establishment of the “ASEAN Community” in 2015- the initial establishment for ASEAN to thrive as a single community. The ASEAN Community aspires to unite and fully leverage on the resources and expertise available within. ASEAN’s foundation relies on political stability, equitable economic development and social responsibilities, a prelude to wider and deeper regional integration that will provide ASEAN a stronger position to compete, not just regionally but also globally.
This successful establishment is envisaged to bring about meaningful and positive change to the livelihood and wellbeing of its 633 million peoples.
Looking Ahead
At its heart lies its commitment to their people. The ASEAN Community Vision 2025, aspires to becoming more ‘people-oriented’ basing all decisions of the desires of the greater public. They are the backbone that push ASEAN integration to move forward and developed ASEAN into what it is today. This is crucial to ensure that Southeast Asia remains not only economically vibrant and competitive and politically stable, but also a better and enriched quality of life for its peoples.
As we progress, ASEAN will continue to deepen cooperation with its Dialogue Partners, including the EU and strengthen engagement with other external parties to reach out to new potential for mutually beneficial relations.
However, ASEAN is today not without threats and challenges. The issue of terrorism, transnational crimes, poverty and migration remains significant and very crucial in combatting. As such, unity and centrality is even more vital now than ever for ASEAN. The 633 million peoples of the ten nations must collectively believe in the strength of a united ASEAN.
In conjunction with the ASEAN Day Celebration of 2017 and in the spirit of unity and cooperation, let us holds hands together to celebrate 50 years of ASEAN success and appreciate our diversity of traditions so that we can contribute to create a world of greater understanding and tolerance.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone ‘happy ASEAN Day’ and my sincere thanks to our special guest today, Madam Pauline Krikke, Mayor of The Hague and Mr Peter Portman from Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their presence and sharing in the celebration.
Unveiling of the ASEAN Ladies Circle logo
The President of the ASEAN Ladies Circle The Hague, Madam Datin Linda Zin, side-by-side her colleagues, Madam Rusdijana Puja and Madam Gina Ledda, proudly presented the ALC logo to the public. She expressed: The draft of the logo was submitted by Ms. Edelwina, of the Philippines Embassy and later on, my husband’s first born, Ms. Ikka Syahirah, who is now a young Architect in Kuala Lumpur took up the challenge to create the logo into a reality. It depicts the full name of the association encircling the logo.
ASEAN’s stalks of padi on its right and left, represent the dream of ASEAN founding fathers, the symbol of friendship and solidarity. The 5 tulips colored in the association’s colors; red, blue and yellow, represent the 5 ASEAN Countries which are currently based in The Hague. Finally, the tulips represent The Netherlands and its association women’s’ affection for flowers.
For additional pictures courtesy of the Malaysian Embassy, please open the link below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157684956149600
