Text and photos: JDL.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrated the 54th Anniversary of the founding of the intergovernmental organisation yesterday at the residence of the Ambassador of Thailand.
The event was hosted by the Ambassador of the Philippines, Philippe Jones Lhuillier, who was unable to hold the event at his embassy due to construction work. The Ambassador of Thailand, Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, and her diplomatic staff welcomed the guests in a small celebration with all anti-virus sanitary measures in place.
After the raising of the ASEAN flag, the Philippine Ambassador noted that “Spain and the countries that make up ASEAN have a shared history, particularly in terms of the first circumnavigation of the world, which is celebrated as a triumph of humanity and science that ushered in the Modern Age and globalisation. Like Spain, Asia played a major role in circumnavigation. Indeed, the reason for the expedition was to find a new sea route to the Far East, particularly to the Moluccas, also known as the Spice Islands”.
Referring to the current pandemic, Philippe Jones Lhuillier commented, “the latest news indicates that Southeast Asian countries are reporting record coronavirus infections. On the other hand, Spain is now in its fifth wave. I don’t know when or how this pandemic will end. What I can say is that, now more than ever, we all need to act not simply as regional groups of countries, but as a community of nations that share your concern. This is a global crisis and we must stand together for a collective response.
During the event, the Ambassadors of Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Minister Counsellor of the Indonesian Legation presented the cookbook entitled The Taste of ASEAN Gastronomy in Spain. “Both the cookbook and today’s event, the Philippine ambassador concluded, are examples of ASEAN community building, albeit on a relatively smaller scale. However, this vision is all the more important as we continue to grapple with the pandemic that continues to affect us all.
In addition to the ambassadors mentioned above, the event was attended by the heads of mission from New Zealand, Afghanistan and South Korea, along with personalities from the Spanish diplomatic corps and the Spanish business and economic sector.
