Figure 1. ASEAN Day celebrated in Santiago, Chile, on 8 August 2017 at the Embassy of Malaysia, which currently chairs the ASEAN Committee in Santiago
The 50th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN was celebrated on 8 August 2017 in Santiago, Chile by the ASEAN Committee on Santiago at the Embassy of Malaysia. Vice Minister of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Edgardo Riveros, joined Ambassador of Viet Nam H.E. Ngo Duc Thang, Ambassador of Malaysia H.E. Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Rameez, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand H.E. Saroj Thanasunti, Chargé D’affaires, a.i. of the Philippines Mr. Marcos A.S. Punsalang, and Chargé D’affaires, a.i. of Indonesia Mr. Amin M. Wicaksono in the festivities.
Around 160 guests, including officials of ASEAN countries with representations in Chile and their families, officials from the Chilean Foreign Ministry and members of the diplomatic corps were on hand to celebrate the event, which was opened with a Thai welcome dance called the Ram Auay Pon. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Rameez, who serves as the current Chairman of the ACS, highlighted the ACS’ efforts to promote ASEAN in Chile by citing the long list of ACS’ activities in the past year, which included calls on government officials, as well as cultural and sporting events. He also congratulated Chile for acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, a move seen to signal the further strengthening of relations between Chile and ASEAN.
Guests also enjoyed the Lancang Kuning, an Indonesian folk dance and traditional dishes from the five countries, including the Filipino classics pancit and lumpia. END
