Asean nations commit to fully realising shared goals

The grand 50th Asean Founding Anniversary celebrations held yesterday at Philippine School Doha (PSD) highlighted a commitment towards a proactive, relevant and transformative bloc working towards positive change in the lives of its people.
Ambassadors of the seven Asean-member countries in Doha graced yesterday’s celebration which featured performances depicting the diverse culture of member countries as well as pivotal moments in the decades-long Asean history. “Let us remember: Asean has a compelling narrative of positive change that we can hold up to the world. Our Asean way has allowed us to get to where we are now. Our Asean way will take us further forward as we strive to fully realise our shared goals for our peoples,” said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s message read by Philippine Ambassador Alan Timbayan.
The Philippines has taken the helm of this year’s Asean Chairmanship with the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.” “With Asean standing at the centre of the future of the Asia-Pacific region, it is time to make our decisions count. It is time for Asean to finally assert with conviction, its position in the international community,” said Duterte in his message.
The programme included a variety of performances by PSD students from different levels garbed in colourful traditional costumes of each member country.

Speaking at the event PSD School Principal Alexander S Acosta stressed the school’s commitment to educate students about Asean and the reason for its existence. “Besides promoting interdependence among us Asean members, we share common ideals in advocating the importance of peace, prosperity, and people. Diverse as it may seem if we speak of cultures and mores, Asean members keep their zeal of enthusiasm, collaboration and cooperation in keeping member nations’ peace and solidarity, brotherhood and diplomacy, commonality in diversity; in building bridges instead of walls, in coming together as one Asean nation, and in partnering for change that will spark united progress as we continue to be engaged in world affairs,” said Acosta.
All heads of missions of Asean-member countries represented in Doha were present at the event including Brunei Ambassador Haji Nordin Bin Haji Ahmad, Singaporean Ambassador Jai Sohan Singh, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoang, Indonesian Ambassador Muhammad Basri Sidehabi, Malaysian Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Mohamad Shahir Sabarudin and Ambassador Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum.
Ambassador Chaiyindeepum who currently heads the Asean Committee in Doha (ACD), urged the students to embody a good image of an Asean citizen by striving to excel in their studies, working hard and showing their talents. He also asked them to extend friendship to Qatari friends and others, bring them around to visit Asean and learn more about Asean’s way of life. An Asean Village exhibition of photos and objects representative of each member country was also set up at the event attended by officials of various embassies, teachers and students.