21 January 2014 - Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva G. Betita handed over the Chairmanship of the ASEAN Committee in Brasilia (ACB) to Indonesian Ambassador Sudaryomo Hartosudarmo during the ACB Meeting on January 10 at the Bahay Pilipino, the Philippine Ambassador’s Official Residence. 

The ACB was formally recognized by the ASEAN Secretariat  in Jakarta in February 2013 to further strengthen the ASEAN-Brazil relations and promote the interest, awareness and understanding of ASEAN in Brazil. It is composed of the seven (7) ASEAN Member-States present in Brasilia, namely the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The ACB Chairmanship rotates every six months. 

From July to December 2013, Ambassador Betita, as Chair, led and coordinated the projects and activities of the ACB.

Some of the highlights of the Philippine Chairmanship include the first ASEAN Anniversary celebration in Brasilia since the formal recognition of ACB by the ASEAN Secretariat attended by ambassadors from ASEAN, Dialogue Partners and high-level officials of Brazil, the ASEAN Food and Cultural Festival which was attended by more than 1,000 guests, the ASEAN Family Day at Jardim Botanico and the Visit to Palacio de Alvorada, Official Residence of the President of Brazil, among others. END