Minister celebrates Asean's 40th birthday
Thursday, August 9, 2007
TO MARK the 40th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), a dinner reception was held at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre in Berakas, last night.
The event was graced by the attendance of His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and spouse, HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah.
HRH Princess Hajah Masna, ambassador-at-large was also present at the event accompanied Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.
They were greeted by Asean ambassadors to Brunei.
HRH delivered a sabda on the occasion celebrating 40 years of Asean whereby he recounted the history of Asean by emphasising on the declaration made by the association's five founding fathers during its establishment in 1957.
"It was a very simple document, it had just five articles but for the first time they made Southeast Asia an association of nations and that is what we are celebrating tonight," HRH said.
HRH quoted a line from one of the articles that stated the aim of Asean, "To secure for their peoples and posterity, the blessings of peace, freedom and prosperity," and deemed it to be "beautifully expressed."
He continued that although, "the world may have been written a long time ago, they mean a lot to us now because we are that posterity and we are receiving those blessings."
HRH then toured the 10 food stalls showcasing Asean cultural tidbits before settling down for dinner. Invited guests including government officials and the diplomatic corps who were treated to a sumptuous spread of local Asean delicacies accompanied by cultural performances from each of the 10 member countries to promote public awareness of Asean.
The Brunei Times
The event was graced by the attendance of His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and spouse, HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah.
HRH Princess Hajah Masna, ambassador-at-large was also present at the event accompanied Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.
They were greeted by Asean ambassadors to Brunei.
HRH delivered a sabda on the occasion celebrating 40 years of Asean whereby he recounted the history of Asean by emphasising on the declaration made by the association's five founding fathers during its establishment in 1957.
"It was a very simple document, it had just five articles but for the first time they made Southeast Asia an association of nations and that is what we are celebrating tonight," HRH said.
HRH quoted a line from one of the articles that stated the aim of Asean, "To secure for their peoples and posterity, the blessings of peace, freedom and prosperity," and deemed it to be "beautifully expressed."
He continued that although, "the world may have been written a long time ago, they mean a lot to us now because we are that posterity and we are receiving those blessings."
HRH then toured the 10 food stalls showcasing Asean cultural tidbits before settling down for dinner. Invited guests including government officials and the diplomatic corps who were treated to a sumptuous spread of local Asean delicacies accompanied by cultural performances from each of the 10 member countries to promote public awareness of Asean.
The Brunei Times
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