Sunday, August 7, 2011

ASEAN turns 44 on August 8

SINGAPORE: Singapore will mark the 44th anniversary of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) with a flag-raising ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy on 8 August.

Indonesia is the current Chairman of ASEAN.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said this year's celebrations are particularly significant.

It said this will be the first time that the ASEAN flag will be flown at all ASEAN member states' diplomatic and consular missions in ASEAN countries and ASEAN's dialogue partners and ASEAN Member States' Missions where UN headquarters and offices are located.

MFA said this is a symbol of ASEAN's commitment to its community building efforts.

It added that Singapore supports such efforts and will be raising the ASEAN flags at its relevant overseas Missions.

Singpore's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, will be the Guest of Honour at the event.

Representatives from ASEAN Embassies and High Commissions in Singapore, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore have been invited to attend the ceremony.

Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam will be the Guest of Honour at a reception on 25 August 2011 to celebrate ASEAN Day.

MFA said ASEAN remains a cornerstone of Singapore's foreign policy and an important institution to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Every year, ASEAN member states celebrate ASEAN Day to promote greater awareness, consciousness, and understanding of ASEAN among its peoples and communities.

MFA said this is in line with efforts to build a strong, credible and people-centred ASEAN and realise the shared vision of an ASEAN Community by 2015.