The association pledged in Abuja on Thursday night during the “Essence of ASEAN” festival reception hosted by the High Commission of Malaysia in Nigeria in partnership with the Embassies of the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. ASEAN is a regional grouping of 10 Southeast Asian states that aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its ten members.
High Commissioner of Malaysia, Mr Aiyub Omar, also the chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Abuja, highlighted the festival’s importance in fostering understanding and collaboration between ASEAN member countries and Nigeria.
According to him, ASEAN diplomatic missions rotate the chairmanship every six months, which helps maintain a dynamic engagement among member states. Also, the Philippines Ambassador, Mr Mersole Mellejor, called for greater awareness of ASEAN among Nigerians, stating that they must increase exposure and understanding of ASEAN’s aspirations as a vital partner to Africa.
He also emphasised the importance of increasing ASEAN’s visibility and engagement with Nigeria, recognising the potential of collaborating within a collective market of nearly 1 billion people across ASEAN and West Africa.
Mr Bui Quoc Hung, Vietnamese Ambassador to Nigeria, highlighted the festival’s role in promoting the ten ASEAN countries’ unique cultures, traditions, and cuisines. He expressed optimism about the potential for increased engagement, particularly with Nigeria, which he described as a resilient nation.
Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, representing the Nigerian Foreign Ministry, expressed appreciation for the support and emphasised Nigeria’s strong connections with ASEAN countries, addressing how collaboration in trade and tourism is crucial for mutual economic growth.
Tuggar represented by Amb. Janet Olisa, Director of Regions, pointed out that ASEAN has much to offer regarding educational exchange programs, leveraging the region’s robust network of institutions.
