“The last time we chaired ASEAN was in 2007 and we are very happy to be chairing it again,” Mr Lee said on Friday (Jan 12) at the Experience ASEAN launch event held at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.Visitors can look forward to food, craft stalls and performances from the region at the event held from Friday to Sunday.On Friday evening, veteran entertainer Dick Lee entertained the crowd with Rise, a song for ASEAN that he composed “10 years ago”, he said.A special orchid hybrid to commemorate Singapore’s chairmanship, named Renanthera ASEAN 2018, was also unveiled at the event. The flower symbolises the “unity, strength and resilience” of ASEAN states, host Diana Ser said.The launch event celebrates ASEAN’s achievements and its vibrancy “the ASEAN way”, said Mr Lee.“The performances and stalls today are just a sliver of ASEAN’s rich cultural diversity,” he added.Mr Lee, who is MP of Ang Mo Kio GRC, also reminded those gathered at the event of ASEAN’s achievements since its formation in 1967 by five countries – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore.Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia joined later.“Looking back, if the leaders of the five founding ASEAN members had not taken a leap of faith and established ASEAN in 1967, the region could still be troubled by conflicts,” he said. “Singapore, a small and vulnerable country, newly independent, might not have survived in such a difficult neighbourhood, let alone won a place in the world.”The bloc has also increased the influence of the region… [Read full story]
Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Halimah Yacob (R) receives Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son.—VNA/VNS Photo HA NOI (VNS)— Deputy chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son yesterday said Viet Nam would continue to co-operate with members of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), including Singapore, to build the ASEAN community by 2015.Son was speaking during his talks with the Speaker of the Singapore Parliament, Halimah Yacob, in Singapore.He said the two parliaments should exchange high-ranking delegations and focus on co-operation with specialised committees.They also should boost formation of friendly parliamentarian groups in the two countries.Halimah Yacob…... [read more]
VietNamNet Bridge - Territorial disputes and flare-ups in the South China Sea (East Sea) were expected to take center stage at Asia's largest security forum this week. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. In his opening speech at the 44th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM44) on July 19 in Bali, Indonesia, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said: “The next 5 days will be full of hard work in our common efforts to shape the destiny of our region.”“Our meeting here takes place just 10 weeks after the 18th ASEAN summit in Jakarta last May. We did not waste time.” “Since that Jakarta…... [read more]
Vietnamese footballers have been practicing penalty kicks ahead of their second-leg ASEAN Football Tournament (AFF Cup) semifinal against Thailand on Sunday. Coach Alfred Riedl explained it would both help players relax after the 2-0 defeat last week in the first leg and sharpen their shooting skills. "We should have netted at least one goal against Thailand." He was referring to the muffed penalty by striker Thanh Binh. Riedl was hopeful of being awarded more penalties on Sunday. "If my players do not lose spirit and play with determination like in the last match, they will get chances," he said. Meanwhile,…... [read more]
NDO/VNA – The ninth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication commenced in Vientiane, Laos, on October 17 under the theme “Public, Private and People Partnerships for Post-2015 Sustainable Development in ASEAN”. In his opening speech, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong underlined that cooperation in rural development and poverty elimination in ASEAN has resulted in a number of outstanding achievements.He described this time’s biennial meeting as an important forum for the bloc’s members to boost mutual understanding and share valuable experience in rural development and poverty reduction, thus strengthening the ties within ASEAN.ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said…... [read more]
All in a row: Singapore National Day Parade 2015. — Photo courtesy of the Singapore Embassy This year is a key milestone year for Singapore as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of independence, or what we call in Singapore, SG50. Singapore's road to independence and journey towards nation building have not been easy, but our forefathers worked against all odds to transform a small country with limited natural resources into a successful city state. But SG50 is not just a celebration. It is an important time for Singaporeans to reflect on our past and chart the course we want for…... [read more]
