Celebrating 58th Anniversary of ASEAN Founding Day in New Zealand: Strengthening solidarity, friendship, promoting dialogue and cooperation

On August 13, in Wellington, New Zealand, the ASEAN Committee in Wellington (ACW) solemnly held the 58th Anniversary of the Founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

New Zealand Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell, guest of honour at the Celebration, poses for a photo with the ASEAN Committee in Wellington (ACW).

This is an annual activity of the ACW Committee, including Ambassadors and High Commissioners of ASEAN member countries with representative offices in Wellington, New Zealand, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with Timor Leste as an observer.

Attending the Ceremony, along with Ambassadors, High Commissioners, officials and diplomatic staff of ASEAN countries, were New Zealand Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell, New Zealand Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Grahame Morton, representatives of the Regional Department and some related Departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, representatives of relevant ministries, agencies, organizations of New Zealand, members of the Diplomatic Corps, including ASEAN Partner countries, in Wellington.

Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Phan Minh Giang, current Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Wellington (ACW) delivered the opening speech at the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Phan Minh Giang, current Chairman of the ACW Committee, emphasized the special significance of the 58th Anniversary of ASEAN's Founding Day this year, marking the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community, in the context of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN-New Zealand dialogue relations, and 2025 marking the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN family.

After nearly 6 decades of formation and development, ASEAN has become a symbol and successful model of regional cooperation and connectivity. In the context of the rapidly changing, complex and unpredictable region and world today, preserving ASEAN solidarity, maintaining and promoting ASEAN’s central role is more important than ever, helping ASEAN overcome difficulties and challenges, and continue to reap many achievements and successes in the coming development period.

On behalf of the ACW Committee, Ambassador Phan Minh Giang was pleased to welcome senior representatives of the New Zealand Government to this year's Celebration. With the strong development of the relationship over the past half century, ASEAN and New Zealand are moving towards establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of relations in 2025. In its role as the coordinator of ASEAN-New Zealand relations for the 2024-2027 period, Vietnam pledges to closely coordinate with New Zealand and ASEAN countries to promote and further deepen the partnership, bringing more practical benefits to the people, contributing more effectively to peace , stability, prosperity and sustainable development of both sides and the region.

In his video message on ASEAN Day sent to this year's celebration, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon congratulated ASEAN on its 58th anniversary, as well as emphasized the significance of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand relations, while affirming New Zealand's commitment to building a secure, stable and prosperous future with ASEAN.

Attending the ceremony as a guest of honor, New Zealand Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell congratulated ASEAN Day and hoped that New Zealand and ASEAN would work together to bring relations to a new height on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2025, promoting more practical cooperation, and better meeting the needs and interests of the people of ASEAN countries and New Zealand.

Deputy Foreign Minister Grahame Morton, representing the New Zealand Government, took a souvenir photo with the ASEAN Committee in Wellington (ACW).

Representing the New Zealand Government, Deputy Foreign Minister Grahame Morton delivered a congratulatory speech to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of ASEAN member countries in Wellington on the occasion of the 58th ASEAN Day. Affirming that New Zealand always attaches importance to its relationship with ASEAN, one of its oldest and most important relationships, the Deputy Foreign Minister of New Zealand highly appreciated the importance of ASEAN as an economic powerhouse with the world's third largest population and the world's fifth largest economy. On this occasion, Deputy Minister Grahame Morton reaffirmed New Zealand's desire to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN at the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit in October this year, while emphasizing that New Zealand is committed to continuing to closely coordinate with ASEAN to contribute more positively to regional peace and prosperity.

The annual commemoration of ASEAN Day in New Zealand has become a proud tradition of the ASEAN Committee in Wellington, reflecting the celebration of shared values and affirming the commitment to promoting the spirit of solidarity, friendship, dialogue and cooperation within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partner New Zealand.

As part of the 58th ASEAN Day celebrations this year, delegates and guests enjoyed traditional performances and experienced the unique culinary culture of ASEAN member countries in Wellington.

Representatives of the Embassies and High Commissioners of ASEAN member countries with representative offices in Wellington, New Zealand, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, along with Timor Leste as observers, took a souvenir photo at the Celebration.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ky-niem-58-nam-ngay-thanh-lap-asean-tai-new-zealand-tang-cuong-doan-ket-huu-nghi-thuc-day-doi-thoai-va-hop-tac-324256.html