ASEAN Day Dinner Reception in Wellington New Zealand

Happy ASEAN DAY!

Are you familiar with ASEAN, Association of South East Asian Nations?
It  comprises 10 Member States, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. It is surely one of the leading regional organization in South East Asian region.

 

This regional platform was established on August 8, 1967, so this year we are celebrating the 55th anniversary of the ASEAN.

In Wellington, there are six ASEAN member states’ missions, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The ASEAN Head of Missions, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, established ASEAN Committee in Wellington and us, at the technical level, established the Working Group, or famously known as the TWG.

the members of ASEAN TWG in Wellington taking pictures the ASEAN Way

So for the celebration  of the ASEAN Day 2022, Indonesia, as the ACW Chair for July - December 2022 period, organized the preparation of the dinner reception. It was celebrated on the 8th of August in Wellington, New Zealand. This year, we have the Embassy of the Thailand as the venue. 

As the guest of honor, Minister for Pacific People and Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Honorable Aupito Sio came and joined us that night. We welcomed him to the venue as he came right on time, while other guests joining us slightly late. We had around 60 guests representing the counterparts from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, community leaders, academics and more. 

Head of Missions of ASEAN in Wellington posed with Minister Sio ASEAN Way

It was truly a celebration of friendship, collaboration and optimism for our future. It’s heartwarming to have friendly conversations with the big family of ASEAN and friends in Wellington, along side delectable signature food and joyful performances.

In the beginning, opening speeches were given by Ambassador Fientje Maritje Suebu of Indonesia as well as Minister Aupito Sio, followed by toasts.

It was also amazing to see Tari Joged Bumbung performed by mba Putuevie from Mekar Bhuana Bali, Indonesia, jazzy tunes from Umar Zakaria and Laura Munan from Malaysia, Praewa Kalasin Silk dance from Thailand, as well as Elian Pagalilawan and Becka Tiangson, the tenor and the pianist from the Philippines. 

Not to mention the food! From Indonesia, we brought salad pengantin, Indonesian salad with peanut, chilli and dried shrimps paste, and lapis legit or the layer cakes. Super yum!

Salad Pengantin from Indonesia

We also decorated 6 tables in the venue with the touch of each of ASEAN Member States missions in Wellington. For Indonesia, we use the combination of Ulos from North Sumatera, Songket Palembang from South Sumatera and Barong from Bali.

I proudly wear my red kebaya encim, adorned with Burung Hong or the hong bird and flowers, along with Songket Bali and Tais for my sash that night 🇮🇩🇮🇩. 

All in all, it was a successful event and a memorable night.

I hope everyone had a great time amidst the cold, freezing weather in Wellington 🙏

Long live ASEAN!