PH Ambassador to Portugal Assumes Chairmanship of the ASEAN Committee in Lisbon Portugal

PH Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria (2nd to the left) accepted the six month chairmanship of ACLP from Indonesian Ambassador to Portugal, Rudy Alfonso (2nd to the right), at a turnover ceremony (Lisbon PE photo)

LISBON 17 July 2023 - The Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria formally accepted the six month Chairmanship of the ASEAN Committee in Lisbon Portugal (ACLP) from the Indonesian Ambassador to Portugal, Rudy Alfonso, at a  turnover ceremony that was  held on 12 July 2023 at the Official  Residence of the Indonesian Ambassador. 

Present during the turnover ceremony were Thai Ambassador to Portugal, Krongkanit Rakcharoen and ACLP special guest Ambassador of Timor Leste to Portugal, Isabel Amaral Guterres.

In her remarks, Ambassador Feria expressed appreciation to the outgoing chair and his team for their commendable efforts and leadership during the past six months. She also acknowledged the presence of Ambassador Guterres and the significant milestones achieved  towards Timor Leste’s eventual membership in ASEAN. 

This is the fifth Chairmanship of the ACLP for  Ambassador Feria since her  arrival in  Portugal in 2017. Over the years,  the Philippine Embassy together with the ACLP members has actively promoted ASEAN's identity and awareness in Portugal and engaged the country from a multilateral ASEAN perspective. 

A range of proposed activities is planned under the Philippine Chairmanship from July to December 2023 including a publication of an article on ASEAN Day on August 08, in celebration of ASEAN's achievements and contributions through the years; an ASEAN exhibition at the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighting ASEAN-EU relations; a visiting tour in Madeira in September, a  meeting with the new head of Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal (AICEP) to discuss investment possibilities and priorities between ASEAN and Portugal, an ASEAN sports tournament that will foster friendly competition and camaraderie among ACLP members and an online cookbook featuring delectable recipes of ASEAN gastronomy. These activities aim to strengthen economic ties, boost trade and investment, and promote culture and tourism between ASEAN and Portugal. END

For more information, visit https://www.lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHLinPortugal/  or https://www.instagram.com/phinportugal/ .