REPORT OF THE ASEAN NEW DELHI COMMITTEE (ANDC) FROM JULY TO DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

I. Name of the ACTC:

 ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC)

II. Members of the ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC):

1. H.E. Dato Paduka Sidek Ali High Commission of Darussalam

2. H.E. Pichkun Panha Royal Embassy of Cambodia

3. H.E. Rizali Wilmar Indrakesuma Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia

4. H.E. Southam Sakonhninhom Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic

5. H.E. Datuk Naimun Ashakli Mohammad High Commission of Malaysia

6. H.E. U. Aung Khin Soe Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

7. H.E. Ma. Teresita C. Daza Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines

8. H.E. Lim Thuan Kuan Singapore High Commission

9. H.E. Chalit Manityakul Royal Thai Embassy

10. H.E. Ton Sinh Thanh Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

III. Period of the Report:

 July to December 2016/January2017

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IV. Activities:

1. Participation in the 5th -ASEAN Economic Forum, 08 July 2016

The Philippines and Vietnam participated in the 5th India-ASEAN Economic Forum organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM) on 8 July 2016 at the Hotel Taj Mahal in New Delhi. In her remarks, Ambassador Daza focused on recent developments in the ASEAN Economic Community, provided updates on ASEAN-India economic relations, and informed on ongoing preparations for the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017, as well as its advocacies. She noted that 2017 will be an auspicious year for both ASEAN and India since ASEAN will celebrate its golden jubilee and also the ASEAN-India 25th anniversary of partnership. On the other hand, Vietnam Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh spoke on ASEAN-India partnership, opportunities and challenges. Vietnam is country coordinator for ASEAN-India dialogue relations.

2. Launch of the ASEAN Study Center at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), 08 August 2016

ASEAN Heads of Missions and Representatives accredited in New Delhi, MEA Secretary (East) Preeti Saran, MEA Joint Secretary (ASEAN) Pooja Kapur, Chief Secretary K.S. Kropha, retired Ambassadors, academicians and students attended the launch of the ASEAN Study Center at the Multi-Convention Hall, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Campus, Shillong, Meghalaya, India on 08 August 2016.

The study center is believed to strengthen the cultural relations between ASEAN countries and India, in pursuit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy. Shillong is deemed to become an educational capital of the Northeast and ASEAN countries in the years to come.

The establishment of the study center was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 13th ASEAN-India Summit in , Malaysia on 21 to 22 November 2015.

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3. Hosting of Informal Dinner, 10 August 2016

The ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) Chair hosted an informal dinner for the Heads of ASEAN Missions (HoMs) and their spouses to celebrate ASEAN Day on 10 August 2016 at the Philippine Ambassador’s Residence.

The informal gathering also provided the opportunity for updating and discussion of activities of the ANDC in the coming months.

4. 11th Meeting of the ASEAN-India Working Group on Science and Technology and the 5th Meeting of the Governing Council (GC) ASEAN- India Technology Development Fund (AISTDF), 16-18 August 2016

The 11th Meeting of the ASEAN-India Working Group on Science and Technology and the 5th Meeting of the Governing Council (GC) ASEAN-India Technology Development Fund (AISTDF) was held on 16-18 August 2016 at Umrao Hotel attended by Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

5. Briefing on Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2016: Asia’s Potential Growth” at ADB- India Resident Mission (INRM), 30 September 2016

The ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) Heads of Missions and Representatives attended a special briefing on the update to the “Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2016: Asia’s Potential Growth” at ADB- India Resident Mission (INRM) Headquarters in New Delhi, India on 30 September 2016. ADB-INRM Principal Economist Johanna Boestel, and Senior Economic Officer Abhijit Sen Gupta, were the key presenters, who briefed ANDC on the regional selected countries performance and challenges. The visit to and briefing in ADB- INRM was an initiative of the Philippines as current Chair of ANDC in partnership with Ma. Theresa Kho, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

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6. Farewell Lunch Meeting for Malaysian High Commissioner Datuk Naimun Ashakli Bin Mohammad, 21 November 2016

The ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) Chair hosted a farewell lunch meeting in honor of the outgoing Malaysian High Commissioner Datuk Naimun Ashakli Bin Mohammad at Tamra Restaurant, Shangri-la’s, Eros Hotel, New Delhi on 21 November 2016. High Commissioner Datuk Naimun Ashakli Bin Mohammad served in India from 2013 to 2016. The occasion was attended by Brunei High Commissioner Dato Paduka Sidek Ali, Cambodian Ambassador Pichkun Panha, Indonesian Ambassador Rizali Wilmar Indrakesuma, Myanmar Ambassador- designate Maung Wai, Singapore High Commisioner Lim Thuan Kuan and Laos’ Deputy Chief of Mission Bounmy Vanmany.

7. Gala dinner for the ASEAN-India Student Exchange Program, 28 November 2016, Eros Hotel

Philippine Ambassador Ma. Teresita C. Daza and Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner Dato Paduka Sidek Ali together with other AMS representatives attended the gala dinner for ASEAN-India Exchange Students. The ten-day program allowed participants from the 10 ASEAN member students to visit and interact with reputed educational institutions, major Indian companies as well as historical and cultural sites in Mumbai, Pune, Agra and New Delhi. On the following day, students visited their respective embassies.

The Filipino participants visited the Philippine Embassy on 29 November 2016 and had a dialogue with the Ambassador Daza at the Residence.

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8. Briefing for ASEAN Heads of Missions on Digital Connectivity Proposals, 02 December 2016

The ASEAN Heads of Missions attended a briefing on digital connectivity proposals developed by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC), on 02 December 2016 at Le Meridien Hotel in New Delhi. The briefing was chaired by Secretary Deepak, Department of Telecommunications and Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (ASEAN ML) Ms. Pooja Kapur. In the briefing, India’s commitment to help develop high-speed digital connectivity by providing financial and technical support to the ASEAN Member States was reiterated and the process to move the initiative forward shared.

9. Farewell Lunch Meeting for Royal Thai Ambassador H.E. Chalit Manityakul, 12 December 2016

The ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) Chair hosted a farewell lunch meeting in honor of the outgoing Royal Thai Ambassador H.E. Chalit Manityakul at Sorrento Ristorante, Shangri-la’s, Eros Hotel, New Delhi on 12 December 2016. H.E. Chalit Manityakul served in India from 2013 to 2016. The occasion was also attended by the Dominican Republic Ambassador H.E. Frank Hans Dannenberg Castellanos, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and ASEAN Heads of Missions and representatives.

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10. Participation in the FDI: Opportunities and Challenges Seminar, 20 December 2016

Ambassador Ma. Teresita C. Daza, as Chair of the ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) participated in a Seminar entitled FDI: Opportunities and Challenges by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on 20 December 2016 at PHD House, New Delhi. She delivered a presentation on “ASEAN, India: Foreign Direct Investment” where she discussed the FDI opportunities and challenges in both ASEAN and India. She also highlighted the Philippine Chairmanship of the ASEAN which marks the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN and 25 years of ASEAN- India dialogue partnership.

11. The ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) Heads of Missions Lunch Meeting with Secretary (East) Preeti Saran in Taj Palace, New Delhi on 23 January 2017

The ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) Heads of Missions had a lunch meeting with Secretary (East) Preeti Saran, who was also joined by Joint Secretary (ASEAN Multilateral) Pooja Kapur and Joint Secretary (South) Jaideep Mazumdar in Taj Palace, New Delhi on 23 January 2017 to discuss the commemorative activities of the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership in 2017.

The meeting was coordinated by the Philippines, and allowed it the platform to inform the meeting on ASEAN 2017 Philippine Chairmanship theme: “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World” and the six thematic priorities under the its Chairmanship which also coincides with ASEAN’s 50th Anniversary.

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12. Handing over of ANDC Chairmanship from the Philippines to Singapore

Philippine Ambassador Ma. Teresita C. Daza chaired the 106th ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) meeting which was attended by ASEAN Heads of Missions plus Deputy Chiefs of Missions and Representatives, held at Shangri- la’s Eros Hotel, New Delhi on 24 January 2017.

As the outgoing ANDC Chair, Philippine Ambassador Ma. Teresita C. Daza reported on the ASEAN activities undertaken from July to date, discussed the plans for the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN and the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN- India Dialogue Partnership in 2017.

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V. Outcomes and Action Points:

As Chair of the ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) for six months, the Philippines focused its efforts on organizing regular interaction among ANDC members and raising the profile of ASEAN through briefings and participation in discussions.

VI. Challenges:

Agreeing on common schedule for activities posed a key challenge and implementing a flagship project was also difficult given the six months chairmanship.

VII. Recommendations:

It would be useful if the ASEAN Secretariat provided ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organizations (ACTC) with regular updates on ASEAN especially as the organization is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017.

MA. TERESITA C. DAZA Ambassador Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in New Delhi, India Chairperson ASEAN New Delhi Committee (ANDC) July to December 2016/ January 2017

New Delhi, 18 April 2017

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