ASEAN at the OPCW Fifth Review Conference
Permanent Representatives from ASEAN Member States to the OPCW gathered at the World Forum in The Hague, The Netherlands to attend the Fifth Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention from 15 to 19 May 2023.
The Conference saw the inaugural statement from ASEAN member states being delivered at the OPCW, reaffirming the region’s commitment to the full, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation of the Convention.
ASEAN-IOM Ambassadors' Conference
On 27 March 2023, ACTH and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Netherlands organised the ASEAN-IOM Ambassadors’ conference where the organisation’s work and projects in the Netherlands were showcased. It was also an opportunity to promote a new cooperation framework between IOM and ASEAN on a myriad of issues relating to migration.
Ambassadors' Talk at University of Groningen
In collaboration with Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2023, the ACTH brought ASEAN to the academic circle at the University of Groningen on 22 February 2023.
The event was successful in raising awareness and understanding regarding ASEAN among various stakeholders in the Netherlands; strengthening dialogue between students and scholars from ASEAN countries and the Netherlands; and exploring opportunities for cooperation between ASEAN countries and the Netherlands.
Engagement with Leiden Asia Centre & IIAS
On 6 February 2023, the ACTH conducted an engagement session with Leiden Asia Centre (LAC) and International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) to explore collaboration in enhancing understanding of the region’s needs vis-à-vis the Indo-Pacific global discourse.
ASEAN in Smart Delta Drechtsteden
On 26 January 2023, the ACTH, in cooperation with Deal Drecht Cities and Smart Campus Leerpark, brought ASEAN to Smart Delta Drechtsteden to learn about the region’s maritime industry, economic development, and triple helix cooperation.
The Drecht Cities are home to over 92 companies of shipping suppliers, shipyards, and shipowners.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) envisages, among others, the establishment of the ASEAN Single Shipping Market (ASSM), the development of the ASEAN roll-on/roll-off shipping network, and the improvement of navigational safety and protection of the marine environment through effective implementation of global shipping regulations under the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Handing Over of ACTH Chairmanship to Malaysia
On 19 January 2023, H.E. J. Eduardo Malaya of the Philippines handed over the ACTH chairmanship to H.E. Dato’ Nadzirah Osman of Malaysia.
Ambassador Nadzirah expressed appreciation to Ambassador Malaya for the work undertaken during the latter’s chairmanship. Ambassador Nadzirah looked forward to working with ACTH members in the promotion of ASEAN’s interests in the Netherlands in the next six months.
Table Talk with Sociëteit De Witte
On 21 November 2022, the ACTH brought ASEAN to the De Nieuwe of Littéraire Sociëteit De Witte, a private association that has occupied a prominent position in social life in The Hague for more than two centuries.
The event was filled with engaging discourse about ASEAN – its strong ideals, rich culture, vast trade and investment opportunities for the society to explore.
ASEAN Village at the Embassy Festival 2022
The ACTH added the ASEAN flavours to The Hague by forming an ASEAN Village comprising pavilions from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam at the Embassy Festival 2022. To enhance awareness on the association, an interactive ‘Get to Know ASEAN Challenge’ was conducted at the ASEAN Village with participation from the local community. Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague also visited the ASEAN Village for a photo opportunity with the ACTH Ambassadors and representative during the event.
The Embassy Festival is an annual event held every summer in The Hague, the Netherlands. This year, a throng of more than 50,000 people enjoyed the Festival on 3 September 2022
Courtesy Call on Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
On 11 August 2022, the ACTH had an engaging session with H.E. Marcin Czepelak, Secretary-General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Peace Palace, The Hague.
ASEAN is committed to the settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means. The region is home to two PCA offices.
ACTH celebrates ASEAN Day 2022
The ACTH welcomed Dutch officials and ASEAN community in The Hague in a joyous celebration of the 55th Anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN.
H.E. Karin Mossenlechner, Director of Asia and Oceania of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands attended the event on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands.
ASEAN Day is celebrated annually on 8 August.
Handing Over of ACTH Chairmanship to the Philippines
On 23 June 2022, H.E. Chatri Archjananun of Thailand handed over the ACTH chairmanship to H.E. J. Eduardo Malaya of the Philippines.
Ambassador Malaya expressed enthusiasm to lead the ACTH in the next six months and presented an indicative schedule of activities under the Philippines’ chairmanship.
Proposed activities include joint calls on host government officials and engagement with Dutch social and business groups to further promote ASEAN.
Ambassador Malaya will serve as the ACTH Chairman from 24 June 2022 to December 2022.
Visit to Damen Dredging Company
On 31 May 2022, the ACTH conducted a visit to Damen Dredging Company located in Nijkerk. The Company is a Dutch leading partner in the area of maritime and also an active investor in ASEAN region. The visit provides useful knowledge in the innovation of Dutch’s maritime engineering.
During the visit, Damen shared its dredging products available to sustainably and efficiently accelerate development in the region. The ASEAN Ambassadors shared the region’s interest in capacity-building alongside commercial transaction, considering Damen’s expertise in the dredging industry. This include various dredging sectors including maintenance, capital, and aggregate dredging. Aside from infrastructure and development projects, ASEAN Ambassadors further shared the opportunity for environmental dredging citing ASEAN’s efforts to achieve a sustainable environment and the ASEAN’s Declaration on Environmental Sustainability.
ALC The Hague Coffee Morning "Break the Bias"
On 25 March 2022, H.E. Nadzirah Osman of Malaysia and Patron of the ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC) – The Hague hosted a Coffee Morning Session at her official residence in Wassenar. In conjunction with the International Women’s Month, the theme for the event is “Break the Bias: Imagine a Gender Equal World.”
Guest speaker at the event was Ms. Megan Brinkman-Lee, a Delft-based Malaysian artist, who shared her experience and passion in contemporary and abstract painting as part of her healing process in coping with emotional difficulties faced by women everyday.
The ALC is composed of ASEAN lady diplomats and the spouses of the ACTH Ambassadors and diplomats.