The 40th Anniversary of New Zealand’s friendship and partnership with the Association of South East Asian Nations was marked at a diplomatic reception held at the Royal Thai Embassy on 11 August. The event was hosted by His Excellency Mr Viet Dung Nguyen, Ambassador of Viet Nam and Chair of the ASEAN Heads of Mission, and the keynote address was delivered by the Honourable Tim Groser, Minister of Trade.
In his remarks Minister Groser spoke on the importance of the relationship, saying that when New Zealand lost its guaranteed access to the UK market in the early 1970s it looked to grow its trade relations with Southeast Asian states. He pointed to the success of that decision, noting New Zealand now trades more in a week with ASEAN than it did in an entire year back then.
After formal speeches concluded guests were treated to a number of cultural performances from ASEAN countries. The Wellington Filipino Community Choir sung the ASEAN Anthem and other items included performances by the Vietnamese Students of Victoria University and the Educate Thai NZ Society. Those in attendance included diplomats, public servants, politicians, academics, business leaders and representatives of community organisations. Members of Parliament included Melissa Lee, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Louisa Wall and Mark Mitchell, Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee. John Allen, the former Secretary of Foreign Affairs was also present.
The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”. This sentiment was reflected in the celebrations which served to further strengthen the friendship within the ASEAN community in New Zealand, and to promote greater awareness of ASEAN in New Zealand and vice versa.
Published in the 2015 Spring issue of Kabayan Magazine. Photo credit Kenneth Leong.
Karim Dickie | International 