The Embassy of Indonesia in Cairo hosted a flag-raising ceremony for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday, marking the 59th anniversary of the bloc’s establishment. The ceremony was attended by several ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN member states accredited to Egypt, as well as officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Indonesian Ambassador to Cairo Kunchoro Waseso said this year’s celebration holds special significance for him personally, as it is the first ASEAN flag-raising ceremony he has attended since assuming his post in Cairo.
The Indonesian ambassador said the occasion not only marks the 59th anniversary of ASEAN’s establishment, but also celebrates nearly six decades of unity, friendship and cooperation among the bloc’s member states.
He added that these shared values have enabled ASEAN to remain a region of peace, stability and prosperity, while strengthening its partnerships and relations with countries around the world.
Waseso praised the valuable work carried out by the ASEAN Committee in Cairo, stressing that through close cooperation among the bloc’s diplomatic missions, the committee has continued to promote ASEAN in Egypt and strengthen engagement with Egyptian partners through a wide range of diplomatic, cultural, academic and public activities.
He also expressed his appreciation for the longstanding friendship between ASEAN and Egypt, emphasizing his aspiration to further strengthen cooperation in a manner that serves the interests of the peoples of ASEAN member states and Egypt.
The Indonesian ambassador extended his sincere appreciation to the Egyptian government, media outlets, academic community and research institutions for their continued support in promoting mutual understanding and strengthening relations between ASEAN and Egypt.
He also expressed his gratitude to all ASEAN diplomatic missions in Cairo, as well as Philippine Ambassador to Cairo Charmaine Rowena C. A. V. Afable, for their dedication and continued efforts to promote ASEAN unity and cooperation in Cairo.
The flag-raising ceremony was attended by Ambassador Amr Hamza, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asian Affairs, along with Philippine Ambassador to Cairo Charmaine Rowena C. A. V. Afable, Thai Ambassador Thanawat Sirikul, Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Tin Shin, Brunei Ambassador Pengiran Salmin, and Cambodian Ambassador Som Visal.
The event was also attended by Singapore’s Deputy Ambassador Raymond Chao, Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Vietnam Nguyen Thai Hai, and Malaysia’s Deputy Ambassador Ahmad Zuhairi.
