ASEAN Embassies in Dili Celebrate 56th ASEAN Day
President José Ramos-Horta as Guest of Honor (fourth from right), Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão (third from left), and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas (second from right) join Ambassador Belinda M. Ante (fourth from left), Indonesian Ambassador Okto Dorinus Manik (third from right), Brunei Ambassador Wan Hadfi Lutfan Bin Abdul Latif, Malaysian Ambassador Amarjit Sarjit Singh (first from right), and Royal Thai Embassy Charge d’Affaires Sakollawat Thongchaeron (first from left) in doing the traditional ASEAN handshake. (Dili PE photo)
DILI 14 August 2022 – The Embassies of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand jointly hosted the celebration of the 56th anniversary of the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the compound of the Embassy of the Philippines in Farol, Dili on 11 August 2023.
The flag raising ceremony featured the hoisting of the ASEAN flag by members of the Honor Guard of the Embassy of Indonesia and the singing of the ASEAN Anthem, followed by the singing of the Timor-Leste National Anthem.
President José Ramos-Horta graced the event as the Guest of Honor. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Vice-Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Bendito dos Santos Freitas also attended the event, along with other Timorese government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations, representatives of the overseas communities of ASEAN Member States, and the private sector.
In her welcoming remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Belinda M. Ante described the 56th anniversary of ASEAN as a significant achievement, given the problems and challenges that it has faced throughout the decades. She expressed confidence in the ability of ASEAN to face future challenges.
In his remarks, Indonesian Ambassador to Timor-Leste and Dean of ASEAN Heads of Mission Okto Dorinus Manik hailed ASEAN’s achievements over the past 56 years. He highlighted ASEAN’s resilience as its work continued even through a major crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also explained the theme introduced by Indonesia for ASEAN 2023, “ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth.” He acknowledged the regional and global dynamics that ASEAN has to navigate and steps that ASEAN needed to take to remain relevant and effective. He reiterated the commitment of ASEAN Member States to support and provide capacity building assistance to Timor-Leste to help accelerate its membership progress.
In his remarks, President Ramos-Horta congratulated ASEAN on its 56th founding anniversary in view of its long journey. He highlighted the institutional development of ASEAN throughout its history. He also credited the contributions of ASEAN Member States in aiding Timor-Leste in its twin processes of peacebuilding and state-building. He cited the consistent support of Timor-Leste for ASEAN Member States in UN bodies. He expressed the readiness of Timor-Leste in joining ASEAN and its commitment to peaceful means for conflict prevention/resolution.
The traditional cake-cutting ceremony marked the end of the formal program. Afterwards, the Embassies of ASEAN Member States and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation held a reception featuring traditional dishes from their respective countries.
In November 2022, ASEAN Leaders agreed to admit Timor-Leste, in principle, as the 11th ASEAN Member State and to grant it observer status. In May 2023, ASEAN Leaders adopted a roadmap to guide the country in its accession process. END
Ambassador Belinda M. Ante gives her welcome remarks during the 56th ASEAN Day celebration at the grounds of the Embassy of the Philippines in Dili. (Dili PE photo)
President José Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Ambassador Belinda M. Ante, and Indonesian Ambassador Okto Dorinus Manik partake in the traditional cake-cutting ceremony alongside other ASEAN Ambassadors/Heads of Mission and Timorese Ministers. (Dili PE photo)