ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC) Plants “The ASEAN Tree” to Commemorate ASEAN 50 at the National Library of the Republic of Turkey
ASEAN Ankara Committee Heads of Missions from Indonesia, Brunei, Viet Nam and the Philippines water the ASEAN tree at the National Library of Turkey during the ASEAN Awareness Week on 13 September 2017. (Photo credits: Mr. Francis Villamin)
18 September 2017 – The ASEAN Ankara Committee conducted a tree planting event during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Awareness Week at the National Library of the Republic of Turkey on September 13.
ASEAN Heads of Missions together with the Guest of Honor, Ambassador Ersin Ercin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Zulfi Toman, President of the National Library planted a mid-sized pine tree. The pine tree is a sturdy tree that can withstand seasonal changes much like the relationship of ASEAN Member States and hopefully, with Turkey. The pine tree also symbolizes ASEAN's continuing efforts in mitigating the effects of climate change, minimize carbon footprint as well as its shared value with Turkey on a common concern for the environment.
Malaysian Ambassador Abd Razak Abdul Wahab said, "This activity symbolizes our ongoing commitment towards raising the awareness on ASEAN and in further enhancing the relations between the people of ASEAN and Turkey."
National Library President Mr. Toman said, “Like the roots of the tree we will plant, I believe that the roots of Turkey and ASEAN will strengthen. This tree will symbolise the strengthening of the roots between Turkey and ASEAN.”
A commemorative plaque was placed beside the tree with the text “Planted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by the ASEAN Ankara Committee, 13 September 2017” and featuring the colored ASEAN logo) with a Turkish translation.
The activity is the first time the National Library has partnered with a group to hold a tree-planting activity. The ASEAN Tree is the only one in the National Library complex grounds that represents Turkey’s relations with any region. END
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From left: Brunei Chargé d’ Affaires, Ms. Osfinita Tahir, Singaporean Ambassador H.E. Selverajah A, Indonesian Ambassador H.E. Wardana, Ambassador Ersin Ercin, Director General for Asia Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zulfi Toman, President of the National Library of Turkey, Malaysian Ambassador H.E. Abd. Razak Bin Abdul Wahab, Philippine Ambassador and current Chair of the AAC H.E. Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, Vietnamese Ambassador H.E. Tuan Pham Anh and Thai Ambassador H.E. Suvat Chirapant pose for the traditional ASEAN handshake at the tree planting activity during the ASEAN Awareness Week at the National Library of Turkey on 13 September 2017. (Photo credits: Mr. Francis Villamin)
Malaysian Ambassador H.E. Abd. Razak Bin Abdul Wahab (right) and Mr. Zulfi Toman (left), President of the National Library of Turkey puts the commemorative plaque of the ASEAN tree which reads “Planted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by the ASEAN Ankara Committee, 13 September 2017” and featuring the colored ASEAN logo) with a Turkish translation. (Photo credits: Mr. Francis Villamin)