JAKARTA, 14 May 2024 – The 8th Forum of Entities Associated with ASEAN concluded today at the ASEAN Headquarters, fostering a spirit of collaboration and partnership between ASEAN and its Centres and Entities.
The forum commenced with opening remarks by Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn, emphasized the growth of entities associated with ASEAN over the years. He further expressed his hopes for the forum to continue to serve as a platform for fruitful discussions and collaboration to further promote stability, friendship, and prosperity within the region.
In his key address, Ambassador Bovonethat Douangchak, Permanent Representative of Lao PDR to ASEAN, outlined the objectives and priorities of the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2024, providing valuable insights into the direction ASEAN plans to take in the coming year.
The morning session also involved interactive interface sessions with the newly appointed Deputy Secretaries-General (DSG) of ASEAN for Political-Security Community Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz and DSG for Community and Corporate Affairs Nararya Soeprapto. The session facilitated an exchange of ideas between the centres and entities and the DSGs.
The afternoon session began with a presentation by the ASEAN Secretariat’s Programme Cooperation and Project Management Division, providing insights on how entities can access resources for projects within the ASEAN project cycle.
The forum culminated in a speed networking session, allowing participants to connect directly and explore avenues for collaboration. This dynamic format fostered an environment for forging stronger partnerships and identifying practical opportunities for joint initiatives.
Concluding the event, Director Lee Yoong Yoong expressed his gratitude to all participants for their active involvement. He closed by voicing his optimism that the forum will foster increased collaboration among all interested parties, ultimately leading to more successful efforts in building the ASEAN Community.
There are currently 80 entities associated with ASEAN listed in Annex 2 of the ASEAN Charter. The forum expressed its gratitude to the German Federal Government through the GIZ cooperation project for their continued support of the annual flagship programme.
