12 August 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Brasilia hosted the celebration of the 46th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Brasilia (ACB) in a simple ceremony held on August 08 at the Philippine Embassy.

The event, which was the first in Brasilia since the formal recognition of the ACB by the ASEAN Secretariat in February 2013, was attended by the Ambassadors and Heads of Missions of the seven (7) ASEAN Member-States accredited in Brasilia. Aside from the Philippines, the ASEAN countries represented in Brazil are Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Also present during the occasion were members of the diplomatic corps, particularly the Ambassadors and representatives of the ASEAN Dialogue Partners, local media, members of the academe and the Filipino community.

In her speech, Philippine Ambassador Eva G. Betita underscored the importance of ASEAN to the Philippines and echoed the pronouncement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario that "the Philippines is committed to continue to nurture, intensify and sustain its meaningful participation in ASEAN."

The guest of honor was Undersecretary Ambassador Maria Edileuza Fontenele Reis of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. Undersecretary Reis read the letter of Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota to ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh. Minister Patriota wrote that "in promoting closer ties among its members and peoples as well as with external partners, ASEAN is playing an increasingly important role in the new multi-fora international configuration." Undersecretary Reis also expressed Brazil's interest to become an ASEAN Dialogue Partner.

The program commenced with the hoisting of the ASEAN flag with the choral rendition of the ASEAN Anthem by the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy and accompanied by a string quartet. The simple ceremony was capped by a reception featuring ASEAN food. END