ASEAN Secretariat, 17 November 2008

136 elementary school students from SD Islam Al-Azhar 10, Serang were tested on their knowledge on ASEAN when they visited the ASEAN Secretariat on 17 November 2008.

After a short briefing on the history of ASEAN, these young students were able to answer questions on the three pillars of the ASEAN Community; the names of the founding fathers of ASEAN; and even the names of all the ASEAN Secretaries-General.

The ASEAN Secretariat hosts regular school visits as part of its outreach programme to the youth.

ASEAN Strengthens its Immigration Cooperation
Kuala Lumpur, 5 November 2008

The 12th Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM) was held on 4-5 November 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was chaired by Datuk Mahmood bin Adam, Director-General of Immigration, Malaysia, and attended by the Directors-General of Immigration and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the ASEAN Member States and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat.

The Meeting reviewed the progress on the realisation of the Work Programme to implement the ASEAN Plan of Action on Immigration Matters adopted in 2002. There were updates in the implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption; development of the Comprehensive Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism, the ASEAN – EC Border Management, and Document Security Programme. The DGICM also held an Open Session to discuss the implementation of the Border Management Programme with representatives of ICPO-Interpol from Lyon and EU delegation.

Happening at the same time was the 4th ASEAN DGICM + Australia Consultation on 5 November 2008, where the ASEAN Immigration held its annual consultation with the Department of Immigration and National Registration of Australia to review the cooperative arrangements on immigration matters across the region. Both sides agreed to continue working together for mutual interests.

ASEAN Transport Ministers Sign Three Transport Agreements
Manila, 6 November 2008

The ASEAN Transport Ministers are (left-right): Pehin Dato Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Communications for Brunei Darussalam; Mr Tauch Chankosal, Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia; Mr Jusman Syafii Djamal, Minister for Transportation of Indonesia; Mr Sommad Pholsena, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR; Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Transport for Malaysia; Maj Gen. Thein Swe, Minister of Transport for Myanmar; Mr Leandro R. Mendoza, Secretary of Transportation and Communications for the Philippines; Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat, Minister for Transport for Singapore; Mr Varawut Silpa-archa, Deputy Minister of Transport of Thailand; and Mr Ho Nghia Dzung, Minister of Transport of Viet Nam.

Three transport agreements were signed by the ASEAN Transport Ministers on 6 November 2008 at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, the Philippines. The signing was witnessed by H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Philippines and H.E. Eduardo R. Ermita, Executive Secretary, Office of the President of the Philippines.

The three transport agreements are: (1) ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Air Freight Services including Protocols 1 and 2, (2) ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services including Protocols 1 to 6, and (3) ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport.

The ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of Air Freight Services and the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement on Air Services are landmark agreements shaping the route for the single aviation market in ASEAN. These Agreements will provide the competitive space for greater expansion and opportunities for air travel within the ASEAN region in terms of more destinations, increased capacities and lower fares. In particular, the business community and travelling public stand to benefit from unrestricted access to all ASEAN cities for cargo services and to all ASEAN capital cities for passenger services.

The ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Inter-State Transport will facilitate seamless regional cargo transportation. The Agreement puts in place the final enabling framework to support a harmonised, integrated and efficient transport logistics and facilitation environment in ASEAN.

The ASEAN Transport Ministers were in Manila for the 14th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting which also took place on 6 November 2008.

Never Too Young to Know About ASEAN
ASEAN Secretariat, 13 November 2008

A group of 120 elementary school students aged 11 to12 years and 10 teachers from SD Islam Al Azhar 17, Bintaro, Jakarta visited the ASEAN Secretariat today to learn about ASEAN.

The students were treated to a cartoon clip on “The ASEAN Community” and tested on their knowledge of ASEAN in the pop quiz segment. In the interactive session, students asked several questions, including “Why are there ten stalks inside the ASEAN emblem?” and “If ASEAN has a new member, will the ASEAN Emblem be changed?”

The ASEAN Secretariat hosts regular school visits as part of its outreach programme to the youth.

ASEAN-UN Launch Report on HIV/AIDS & Mobility in Southeast Asia
ASEAN Secretariat, 13 November 2008

A joint report by ASEAN and the United Nations Regional Task Force on Mobility and HIV Vulnerability Reduction in South-East Asia and Southern Provinces of China (UNRTF) was launched today at the ASEAN Secretariat. Among the guests present at the launch were Mr Nicholas T. Dammen, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN; Mr El-Mostafa Benlamlih, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia; Mr Ajay Chhibber, Assistant Secretary-General of UN and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific; Mr Abdullah Denovan, Indonesia PLHIV Network National Coordinator; and Mrs.Gwi-Yeop Son, UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand & Convener of UNRTF.

The joint report titled “HIV/AIDS and Mobility in South-East Asia” presents key findings and recommendations of a rapid assessment conducted on HIV and mobility issues in the ten ASEAN countries in 2007-2008. It is the first such publication to include information on current migration patterns along with the HIV situation across the region. One of the key findings of the report reveals that despite the contributions from migrants to the national economies, they have little or no right to legal or social protection and generally lack access to HIV and AIDS services and information.

The publication of this report is funded by the United Nations Development Programme, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. A directory and profile of the major organisations that are engaged in HIV and migration issues in the Southeast Asia region is also included in the report.

The 35th Ship for South East Asian Youth Programme Harbours at the ASEAN Secretariat, 12 November 2008

More than 300 participants of the 35th Ship for South East Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) visited the ASEAN Secretariat today. They were welcomed by Deputy Secretary-General Mr Nicholas Tandi Dammen. The participants also learnt about ASEAN and ASEAN’s projects on youth.

The SSEAYP is a joint programme between Japan and the ASEAN Member States that brings together youths from these 11 countries. The youths spend about two months sailing to various ASEAN countries and participating in various exchange activities, both on board and in the countries visited.

Spanning from 31 October to 20 December 2008, the participants have visited Brunei Darussalam and will next visit Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam and Philippines before sailing back to Japan.

China-ASEAN Forum Discusses Impacts of Rising Food Prices & Disasters on Poverty
Nanning, China, 6 November 2008

The 2nd China-ASEAN Social Development and Poverty Reduction Forum with the theme “Food, Disasters and Poverty Reduction” was held in Nanning, China from 4-6 November 2008. The Forum was hosted by the International Poverty Reduction Center in China and Poverty Reduction Office of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Around 100 policy makers, researchers and practitioners in the field of poverty reduction from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, and China participated in the Forum. Representatives from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Food Programme and Asian Disaster Reduction Centre were also present.

During the Forum, the participants shared information and exchanged views in tackling the impact caused by rising food prices and natural disasters on poverty. The Forum came up with the “Nanning Output on Social Development and Poverty Reduction Forum for Consideration of China-ASEAN Cooperation”. Among the recommendations is for China and ASEAN Member States to explore possible collaborative actions to further regional preparedness in responding to economic risks and natural disasters. It also calls for exchanges among the countries and poverty-reduction sectors to be intensified.

In conjunction with this Forum, a seminar on China-ASEAN Poverty Policy and Practice for Government Officials was held on 1-8 November 2008 in Nanning.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Attends the 4th CLMV Summit
Ha Noi, Viet Nam, 6 November 2008

The 4th CLMV Summit was held in Ha Noi on 6 November 2008. The Prime Ministers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam met at this biennial platform to review the progress of cooperation, and discussed initiatives for the future as well as measures to strengthen the effectiveness of the programmes between the countries.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Soeung Rathchavy, delivered a statement at the Opening Ceremony on behalf of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan. In his message, Dr Surin said that “with our ASEAN integration and regional solidarity, the agenda of the CLMV will be advanced, narrowing the gap among ASEAN Member States will be better managed, and the international community will know in what areas, how and when it can make a contribution to our ASEAN Agenda for regional cooperation.” Noting the close relationship and complementary nature of the 2nd Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan and the CLMV Plan of Action, Dr Surin welcomed the suggestion that both these mechanisms should be closely aligned and mutually support each other.

The next CLMV Summit will be held in 2010 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The ASEAN Schools Tour team from the ASEAN Secretariat was treated to another display of the ASEAN spirit at their stop in Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia. The team, led by Deputy Secretary-General Soeung Rathchavy, met about 500 students from Sihanoukville High School, Hun Sen Mittapheap High School and Hun Sen Pry Nup High School. Also present were representatives of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport as well as the Provincial Office of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia. Dr Rathchavy was pleased to note the increase in the number of participants this year compared to last year.

The students displayed excellent knowledge on ASEAN and showed great interest in ASEAN, making the Q&A session with Dr Rathchavy a highly lively session. They were eager to know more about the benefits of ASEAN for the Member States and ASEAN’s programmes for youths.

Although Khmer is their national language, the students were not shy to exercise their English skills throughout the entire programme. Seeing this, Dr Rathchavy encouraged the students to continue learning English, as English is the working language of ASEAN, which would help them in the future should they wish to study or work in another ASEAN country.

The ASEAN Schools Tour recently visited Singapore, Malaysia and Lao PDR and will continue to visit the other six Member States for the next two months.

Deputy Secretary-General Nicholas Tandi Dammen today led the ASEAN Secretariat team on its third ASEAN Schools Tour 2008 stop in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.

Mr Nick said that the ASEAN Schools Tour is a reflection of ASEAN’s effort to become more people-centred and to reach out to its people, especially the youth in the region. He encouraged the students to continue to learn about ASEAN as they are the future of ASEAN.

Three hundred students from three schools – Santiphap High School, Pasathipatay Secondary School and Phanluang Secondary School – came to the host school, Luang Prabang Teacher Training College, to actively participate in the pop quiz, Q&A session and cultural performances.

Also present at the event were representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR and the Deputy Head of Education Department of Luang Prabang Province.

The next stop of the ASEAN Schools Tour is Cambodia.

The ASEAN Secretariat today hosted the delegation from Hubei Province, the People’s Republic of China.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, warmly welcomed the Governor of Hubei Provincial Government Mr. Li Hongzhong and discussed cooperation between ASEAN and Hubei.

An ASEAN Secretariat-Hubei Forum was held in conjunction with the Governor’s visit. The forum was attended by trade representatives of ASEAN embassies and the business community in Jakarta. Dr Surin said, “The forum today is a good starting point to spread the words of the potential partnership between ASEAN and Hubei. Both are exploring the possibility of convening an ASEAN – Hubei Forum on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Wuhan City, enhancing air transport connectivity, tourism and having more cultural and people to people exchanges”

The ASEAN Schools Tour 2008 made its second stop in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, today, after last month’s launch in Singapore. About 350 students from five schools took part in the event. They came from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tamparuli, the host of the event, SMK Badin Tuaran, SMK Sri Nangka, St. John and SMK Sungai Damit.

Students learnt about ASEAN through fun and interactive activities. Dr. Anish Kumar Roy, Director for Bureau for Resources and Development, represented the Secretary-General of ASEAN and gave a talk to the students about ASEAN. Representatives from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, were present at the event.

The ASEAN Schools Tour is an outreach activity initiated by the ASEAN Secretariat. It is aimed at raising awareness on ASEAN among youths. Over the next two months, the ASEAN Schools Tour will visit schools in the other eight Member States.