Philippine Mission to ASEAN Holds “Why ASEAN Matters” Symposium
ASEAN Health Division Head Dr. Ferdinal Fernando delivers a lecture on the impact to the ordinary citizen of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Pillar. (Jakarta PM photo)
JAKARTA 02 September 2022 – In celebration of the 55th Founding Anniversary of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN organized a symposium entitled, “Why ASEAN Matters” on 26 August 2022 at the Mission’s premises.
In her opening remarks, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Elizabeth Te of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN highlighted that ASEAN is one of the cornerstones of the Philippines’ foreign policy. She said that the Philippines actively participates in shaping ASEAN’s regional agenda to contribute to the promotion of a more peaceful and stable Southeast Asia, and to help ensure that regional developments are in line with national priorities, including through the adoption of documents and agreements that promote the welfare of our citizens, including migrant workers.
Esteemed speakers from the three ASEAN Community Pillars presented an overview of the relevance and impact of ASEAN to the ordinary ASEAN citizen from their respective community pillars.
Assistant Director Raymund Jose Quilop, Head of the ASEAN Secretariat’s ASEAN Political Security Community Analysis and Monitoring Division, focused on ASEAN as an institution, its resilience and continued relevance. Mr. Jeremiah Reyes, Economic Official of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, provided an overview of the ASEAN Economic Community and updates on the region’s progress, including overall economic growth, free trade agreements, and digital connectivity. Dr. Ferdinal Fernando, Assistant Director and Head of the Health Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, highlighted that ASEAN’s Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillar is the “face of ASEAN” as it focuses on lifting the quality of life of all peoples in the region.
Among the issues discussed during the open forum were the tangible benefits enjoyed by ordinary ASEAN citizens, how ASEAN’s relevance may be communicated at the grassroots level, and the measures put in place by ASEAN to cope with current and future health emergencies.
The face-to-face symposium at the Mission Chancery was attended by Philippine Mission to ASEAN personnel, representatives from the ASEAN Foundation, and students from Universitas Indonesia. END
Assistant Director Raymund Jose Quilop, Head of the ASEAN Secretariat’s ASEAN Political Security Community Analysis and Monitoring Division (seated, 3rd from right) responds to a question during the event’s open forum. (Jakarta PM photo)
(Seated, left to right) Director Raymund Jose Quilop, head of the Analysis and Monitoring Division, ASEAN Secretariat, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Elizabeth T. Te, Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, Dr. Ferdinal Fernando, head of the Health Division, ASEAN Secretariat, Mr. Jeremiah Reyes, Economic Official of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN. Also in the photo are the live guests of the symposium which include the personnel of the Philippine Mission to ASEAN, representatives from the ASEAN Foundation and students from the University of Indonesia. (Jakarta PM photo)
For more information, visit http://www.jakartapm.dfa.gov.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionJakarta.