ASEAN Day in New Zealand

ASEAN Day is an annual activity organized by the ASEAN Committee in Wellington (ACW), attracting the attention of politicians and many New Zealanders.

Các đại sứ các nước ASEAN tham dự giao lưu chụp ảnh kỷ niệm (Ảnh: ĐSQ Việt Nam tại New Zealand)

Ambassadors of ASEAN countries attending the exchange took a souvenir photo. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand)

On August 16, in Wellington, the Embassy of Vietnam and the Embassies of ASEAN countries in New Zealand solemnly held the 57th ASEAN Day Celebration with a special cultural, artistic and culinary program.

This is an opportunity for ASEAN member countries to demonstrate solidarity and unity, while at the same time promoting cultural diversity in the community.

The event was attended by Ambassadors and High Commissioners from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste as ASEAN Observers.

New Zealand Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Deborah Geels, representing the New Zealand government, along with many Ambassadors, Heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations, representatives of ministries, socio-political organizations, and localities of New Zealand, as well as a large community and friends of ASEAN attended the ceremony.

In his opening remarks, the current Chair of ACW, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand Waravuth Pouapinya highlighted ASEAN's development achievements, the central role and position of the community in Southeast Asia, while emphasizing the importance of the strategic partnership between New Zealand and ASEAN and the prospect of elevating ASEAN-New Zealand relations in the coming time.

The numerous visits by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand in 2024 show the country's special interest in Southeast Asian countries.

Thứ trưởng Ngoại giao và thương mại New Zealand, bà Deborah Geels phát biểu (Ảnh: ĐSQ Việt Nam tại New Zealand)

New Zealand Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Deborah Geels, speaking. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand)

In her remarks, Deputy Minister Deborah Geels welcomed the 57th ASEAN Day, highlighting the priority of ASEAN in New Zealand’s foreign policy and its importance to New Zealand. ASEAN is a major export market for New Zealand and an important political and security partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

The New Zealand Government representative mentioned New Zealand's initiatives in supporting regional development and cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, and affirmed the desire to upgrade relations with ASEAN to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

ASEAN Day is an annual event organized by ACW, attracting the attention of politicians and many New Zealanders. This is an important occasion for countries to introduce the unity and solidarity in diversity of ASEAN, honoring the historical, cultural and traditional values of Southeast Asian countries.

Gian hàng Việt Nam tại lễ kỷ niệm (Ảnh: ĐSQ Việt Nam tại New Zealand)

Vietnam booth at the celebration. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand)

The Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand contributes and actively participates in ACW activities, especially this year as the coordinator of ASEAN-New Zealand relations, preparing to assume the rotating ACW chairmanship in 2025.

The event is also an opportunity to introduce and promote the image of Vietnam, Vietnamese culture and people through a number of typical products such as: coffee, tea, ceramics, lacquer paintings, handicrafts and especially Vietnamese cuisine.