08 March 2017 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary and Acting Philippine SOM Leader to ASEAN Ma. Hellen B. de la Vega attended the 32nd ASEAN – Japan Forum held at the International Convention Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan from March 01 to 02.
The ASEAN’s priorities in 2017; review of ASEAN – Japan cooperation; exchanges of views on regional and international issues; ASEAN-Japan relations in the next 50 years; and the revised Implementation Plan of the Vision Statement on ASEAN –Japan Friendship and Cooperation were discussed during the forum.
Prior to the Forum, Assistant Secretary de la Vega met with Dayang Emaleen binti Abdul Rahman Teo, Permanent Secretary at Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MoFAT) and ASEAN-Brunei SOM Leader, and discussed matters on the PHL’s ASEAN Chairmanship, particularly commemorative activities and administrative arrangements for the 30th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to be held in the Philippines; Tribute to the ASEAN Founding Fathers; and the role of the ASEAN Secretariat in Summits and Meetings to be held, among others.
Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Meynardo LB. Montealegre, Mr. Robespierre L. Bolivar, Special Assistant at the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, Ms. Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, Director for ASEAN External Relations, Consul Melvin C. Almonguera, and Economic/Political Assistant Frederick A. Rili were part of the Philippine delegation.
Japan will be hosting the 33rd ASEAN – Japan Forum in 2018. END
