ASEAN SECRETARY-GENERAL MINH GRACES OPENING  OF ASEAN@50 PHOTO EXHIBIT AT THE UNITED  NATIONS IN GENEVA

13 September 2017, Geneva, Switzerland - H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), led the launch of the ASEAN@50 Photo Exhibit at the United Nations Office in Geneva yesterday, 12 September.

During his keynote remarks, he said that the photo exhibit is a window to the history, evolution, diversity and dynamism of the ASEAN Community and its ten Member States, and a reflection of the aspiration of the ASEAN that share One Vision, One Identity, One Community and of unity in diversity.

ASEAN Secretary-General Minh also said that ASEAN is regarded as a model for regionalism and its aspiration is to realize an ASEAN Community that is rules-based, people-oriented and people-centered.

ASEAN Secretary-General Minh commended the efforts of the ASEAN Committee in Geneva (ACG) for organizing the photo exhibit, a commemorative event to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of ASEAN in Geneva.

“In its 50 years of existence, ASEAN has stood for multilateralism. ASEAN reaffirms this belief, as well as its aspiration to deepen its global engagement, on this milestone year, as reflected in the theme of the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN, which is “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,” said Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva and chair of the ASEAN Committee in Geneva (ACG).

The ASEAN@50 Photo Exhibit tells the story of the ASEAN through a series of photos exploring the region’s history, society, and natural environment.

The exhibit features photographs from competitions organized by the ASEAN Secretariat in Indonesia, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity in the Philippines, and contributions from the ASEAN Permanent Missions.

It traces the journey of ASEAN from its establishment on 8 August 1967 to its emergence as one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing regions in the world today and brings to life the diverse and colorful communities and ecosystems of the region.

The e-exhibit version, which may be accessed at http://genevapm.ph/aseanphotoexhibit/, was launched on 10 August 2017.

There was likewise a food festival after the opening ceremony, where the cuisines of the ten ASEAN countries were showcased.

The ASEAN@50 Photo Exhibit, and its online version, is a project of the ASEAN Committee in Geneva.

Currently chaired by the Philippines, the Committee is composed of the ten Permanent Missions of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The photo exhibit at the Salle des pas Perdus at the Palais des Nations will run until 22 September 2017. END