Youth Takes Center Stage during the 56th ASEAN Day Celebration  

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo delivers his keynote address highlighting the role of the youth in achieving the vision of ASEAN as the epicentrum of growth.
(Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

MANILA 10 AUGUST 2023 – The Department of Foreign Affairs organized the Philippine celebration of the 56th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the theme, “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” in line with Indonesia’s 2023 chairship theme and priorities.

In his keynote speech, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo underscored the pivotal role of youth in ensuring a bright future for ASEAN. “The youth comprise more than a third of all ASEAN citizens, with their numbers peaking by the year 2038. It is crucial that their voices are heard and their inputs in policy and decision-making processes are taken into account,” Secretary Manalo said. 

Secretary Manalo also cited the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Program under the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) as one of the mechanisms of ASEAN that gives youth the opportunity to contribute to the regional group.

Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs and ASEAN-PH Director General Daniel R Espiritu, in turn, emphasized the developments that the region has experienced for 56 years since ASEAN was formed. “From being poster children of poverty and underdevelopment, ASEAN has helped its Member States gain prosperity and lasting peace,” Assistant Secretary Espiritu added.

The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, also gave a video message for the celebration. Highlighting the accomplishments of ASEAN, Dr. Kao remarked, “[The] ASEAN regional integration journey has noticeably produced significant growth and development to further reduce poverty as well as improve health services, progressive education, access to information, enhance disaster preparedness, and narrowing the development gaps within and among the member states.”

Secretary Manalo, together with the Ambassadors of the ASEAN Member States’ diplomatic missions in the Philippines, led a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate this milestone event. This was followed by a photo opportunity with the Ambassadors of the ASEAN external partners' diplomatic missions in the Philippines and officials from other government agencies. The guests were then entertained by the world-renowned Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, who showcased a variety of Filipino folk dances and songs.

The Philippines is one of the five Founding Fathers of ASEAN along with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. They signed the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) which outlined the organization's goals and principles on 08 August 1967. Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia later joined ASEAN. Today, ASEAN has 10 member states. Timor-Leste was accepted as an “in-principle” 11th member in November 2022 (currently, an Observer). END

Ambassadors from the ASEAN Member States’ diplomatic missions in the Philippines join DFA officials for the 56th ASEAN Day cake-cutting ceremony.
(Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

Members of the diplomatic corps, DFA senior officials, and officials from other Philippine agencies join the 56th ASEAN Day celebration.
(Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)