MFA Press Statement: ASEAN Day Celebrations, 8 August 2011

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be marking its 44th Anniversary this year. ASEAN remains a cornerstone of Singapore's foreign policy and an important institution to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Every year, ASEAN member states celebrate ASEAN Day to promote greater awareness, consciousness, and understanding of ASEAN among our peoples and communities. This is in line with our efforts to build a strong, credible, and people-centred ASEAN and realise our shared vision of an ASEAN Community by 2015.

This year's celebrations are particularly significant as it is the first time that the ASEAN flag will be flown at all ASEAN member states' diplomatic and consular missions in ASEAN countries and ASEAN's dialogue partners and ASEAN Member States' Missions where UN headquarters and offices are located. This is a symbol of ASEAN's commitment to its community building efforts. Singapore supports such efforts and will be raising the ASEAN flags at our relevant overseas Missions.

To mark the occasion in Singapore, the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore will be holding a flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy on 8 August 2011 (Note: Indonesia is the current Chairman of ASEAN). Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, will be the Guest of Honour at the event. Representatives from ASEAN Embassies and High Commissions in Singapore, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore have been invited to attend the ceremony. In addition, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam, will be the Guest of Honour at a reception on 25 August 2011 to celebrate ASEAN Day.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
7 AUGUST 2011