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.”
At the forum, participants were briefed on the goals of the three community pillars and how they can contribute to realising the ASEAN Vision 2025. They also learned about the privileges and obligations of entities associated with ASEAN, such as the use of ASEAN name, anthem and logo. Further, they discussed how to access third-party funding mechanism managed by the ASEAN Secretariat and its project management cycle. During the forum, entities shared their aspiration for ASEAN to further enhance engagement with the grassroots level to fully realise a people-oriented and people-centred ASEAN. They also shared their views and suggestions for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.
During the open forum, representatives of accredited entities expressed their appreciation to ASEAN Secretariat for gathering the entities for the first time. “This forum is a great platform to meet with other organisations and entities. We found so many great opportunities to work together to achieve ASEAN goals,” said Mr. Senjaya Mulia from ASEAN Youth Organisation, which is currently seeking accreditation.
The one-day forum was also graced by the representatives of Permanent Missions of ASEAN Member States and supported by the German Government through GIZ cooperation project.
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