Jakarta 8 August- With the participation of the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and the Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the commemoration of the 56th Anniversary of ASEAN Day took place in this capital with the theme : “Promotion of Sustainable Regional Growth”.
In his welcoming remarks, ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn highlighted ASEAN's progress over the years, stressing that “ASEAN has come a long way since August 8, 1967 and it has since grown into a fully-fledged community, comprising ten member states with Timor Leste joining as the eleventh member. He also stressed that in a region as diverse as Southeast Asia, ASEAN's success would not have been possible without the strong determination and commitment of member states to work together.
Under Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year and guided by the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth", the bloc has further strengthened cooperation to remain relevant in responding to regional and global challenges and in maintaining the economic development and prosperity of the benefits for its population.
For his part, in the opening speech, by the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, said that 56 years ago, ASEAN was formed with the determination to make Southeast Asia a peaceful, stable and prosperous region, and today they reaffirm that spirit and determination.
He added that the challenges of the current global dynamics are not easy, the global economy has not fully recovered and rivalries are becoming more acute. However, he considered that ASEAN will be able to overcome the current situation, as long as it is united.
This year Indonesia holds the ASEAN Pro Tempore Presidency, 56 years since its founding by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand on August 8, 1967.
The event also had the participation of representatives of the Diplomatic Missions of the ASEAN Member States, External partners and signatories of the ASEAN Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, including Cuba, which was represented by its Embassy in Jakarta.
Embassy of Cuba in Indonesia.