12 August 2016- The ASEAN Committee in Amman (ACA), which is composed of Ambassador Colonel (Retired) Nooradin bin Haji Ya’akob of Brunei Darussalam; Ambassador Teguh Wardoyo of Indonesia, represented by Mr. Nico Adam Charge d’ Affaires, a.i.; Ambassador Zakri bin Jaafar of Malaysia; Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West of the Philippines; and Ambassador Apichart Phetcharatana of Thailand, held the 49th ASEAN Day Celebration on August 08 at the Odeon Amphitheater in Amman.
ASEAN Day 2016 featured performances from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand with the special participation of the Greater Amman Municipality’s Dabkeh Group. Mayor Aqel Biltaj of the Greater Amman Municipality was the guest of honor. During his speech, he highlighted the strong relations between Jordan and ASEAN-member countries, noted the strong growth in GDP per capita among member countries and mentioned transportation infrastructure development as one sector from which Jordan could benefit from the ASEAN experience. Minister Adel Tweissi of the Ministry of Culture, Jordanian Senator Taghrid Hikmat and Mr. Hazim Al Kahteb, Head of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, also graced the event.
Philippine Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West, as Chairperson of the ASEAN Committee in Amman from July to December, gave general background information on ASEAN and the grouping’s achievements since its establishment in 1967 with a focus on securing peace, progress, prosperity and stability for ASEAN citizens. She also highlighted the cordial and close relations between Jordan and the ASEAN states and the huge potential for mutually beneficial exchanges in various cooperative activities, in trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
Guests enjoyed a taste of ASEAN flavors with the light refreshments served at the end of the show. END
