56th ASEAN Day Celebration in Helsinki Strengthens Regional Collaboration

Thepresidentpost.id - Helsinki, Finland - A joyful atmosphere filled the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Helsinki in Finland, when the Indonesian Embassy joined by the Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese embassies in Helsinki, as well as the Philippine embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, in organising the 56th ASEAN Day (08/08).

Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Finland, Ratu Silvy Gayatri, as Chairman of the ASEAN Helsinki Committee 2023 in her remarks expressed ASEAN's aspirations to be a robust and resilient regional organization in dealing with various challenges both at the regional and global levels. ASEAN is expected to remain relevant to communities in the region and the world and continue to be the centre of growth and prosperity, in line with the theme of Indonesia's Chairmanship of ASEAN, namely ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.

Ambassador Silvy also reaffirmed the commitment of ASEAN Leaders at the 42nd ASEAN Summit, held on 10-11 May 2023 in Labuan Bajo, to maintain an ASEAN regional architecture that is open, inclusive, transparent and based on laws; to strengthen relations with ASEAN partners in prioritizing peace, stability and the development of regional resilience in the face of various challenges; and to uphold regionalism and multilateralism based on principles and norms of international law.

As a member of the European Union, Finland has formidable capacity, including in terms of science and technology, the environment, and sustainable development. With its advantages, Finland can support and collaborate with ASEAN countries in addressing various common challenges as outlined in the ASEAN-EU Joint Leader's Statement produced last December. A number of challenges were raised, including issues of cybersecurity and cybercrime, climate change, protection of biodiversity and the environment, clean energy, green economy, and others.

On the occasion of the ASEAN Day celebration, Ambassador Silvy invited the ASEAN dialogue partner countries in attendance to support the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum which will take place in Jakarta, on September 4 – 5, 2023 by inviting entrepreneurs from their respective countries.

The 56th ASEAN Day celebration at the Embassy in Helsinki's Hall was warm and cordial. The celebration was attended by officials from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials of various ministries and institutions in Finland, ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN Dialogue Partners, as well as various ASEAN partners in Helsinki. Invited guests appeared to enjoy the variety of special dishes from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.