ASEAN Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York Hold 50^th Founding Anniversary Reception

Permanent Representatives of the ASEAN Missions to the United Nations together with President of the General Assembly H.E. Peter Thomson (5^th from left) and UN Secretary-General António Guterres (7^th from left) join hands the ASEAN way.

15 September 2017 – The Philippine Mission to the United Nations (UN), in its capacity as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) New York Committee (ANYC), led ASEAN Missions in New York in a joint reception to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN on September 06 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. opened the reception highlighting that “this year marks the 50^th Anniversary of the Bangkok Declaration, which founded ASEAN. This year we also honor and remain grateful to ASEAN’s founding fathers, Tun Abdul Razak, Adam Malik, Narciso Ramos, S. Rajaratnam, and Thanat Khoman, who have planted the seeds that have borne fruit and made ASEAN what it is today – a regional organization that is a model for the rest of the developing world, a regional organization that has steadily brought progress and prosperity to its peoples.” Ambassador Locsin added that “our success in the last 50 years would not have been possible without the assistance of our friends, like you, in the international community.” He thanked other Missions for their support and co-sponsorship of the General Assembly resolution entitled “Commemoration on the 50^th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.”

In his brief remarks, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, President of the 71^st Session of the General Assembly, wished ASEAN greater strength and prosperity. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, on the other hand, added that “multilateral organizations like the UN will be unable to fulfill their mandate if not in very close partnership with regional organizations that are closer to the problems and closer to the delivery of solutions to the problems that exist.” The SG also reaffirmed the UN’s deep commitment to work with ASEAN in addressing its common problems and in building a common future.

A national costume exhibit was also on display during the Reception. Attraction of the evening was a photo booth providing postcard-sized photographs of guests trying out indigenous ASEAN headwear and accessories to memorialize the very special occasion. END

Left photo: UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivers his brief remarks during the ASEAN Day Reception. Right photo: National costumes from ASEAN Member States on display at the ASEAN Day Reception at the Philippine Center in New York

Permanent Representatives of the Philippines (left), Viet Nam (middle), and Thailand (right) to the United Nations try out indigenous ASEAN headwear at the ASEAN Day Reception photo booth