E-NEWSLETTER EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN KUWAIT Ninth Edition, July – December 2017 HIGHLIGHTS: ASEAN NIGHT – DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION TO COMMEMORATE THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF ASEAN, 27 SEPTEMBER 2017 On 27 September 2017, nine ASEAN Ambassadors in Kuwait co-hosted the ASEAN Night, a diplomatic reception to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Kuwait City. H.E Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait graced the event as the guest of honour. The event began with the playing of the national anthem of the State of Kuwait followed by the anthem of ASEAN “The ASEAN Way’. H.E. Renato Pedro O. Villa, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines and Chairman of ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) for 2017 gave a welcoming remark. He outlined the achievements of ASEAN including the signing of the ASEAN Charter in 2007, and the launching of the ASEAN Community in 2015. H.E Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah then delivered his remarks, congratulating ASEAN for the 50th anniversary of its foundation on 8 August 1967. He also praised the unity among the ASEAN member countries and expressed the hope that future cooperation between ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could further be strengthened, particularly in trade and investment. The event saw the attendance of 400 guests including members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, private sector officials, media representatives as well as members of the community of ASEAN countries in Kuwait. The guests were served with dishes from ASEAN member countries and entertained by various cultural performances. Each country’s Email : [email protected] Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MYSEmbassyQ8/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MYEmbKuwaitCity arts, books and tourism brochures were also on display at each Embassy’s booth. [1] ON THE BILATERAL FRONT On 4 October 2017, His Excellency Dato' Ahmad Rozian Abd. Ghani, Ambassador of Malaysia to Kuwait met separately with His Excellency Ambassador Dhari Ajran Al-Ajran, Assistant Foreign Minister for Protocol Affairs and His Excellency Ali Suleiman Al- Saeed, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait. Both meetings were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait City.The meetings enabled them to discuss matters of mutual interest between Malaysia and Kuwait. On 1 November 2017, H.E. Dato’ Ahmad Rozian Abd. Ghani, Ambassador of Malaysia to the State of Kuwait met with H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Cabinet of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait at the latter’s office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait City. The meeting enabled them to discuss matters of mutual interest between Malaysia and Kuwait as well as exchange insights on regional and international developments. [2] ON THE BILATERAL FRONT On 13 November 2017, H.E. Dato’ Ahmad Rozian Abd. Ghani, Ambassador of Malaysia to the State of Kuwait met with H.E. Ambassador Ali Suleiman Al-Saeed, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs at the latter’s office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait. The meeting enabled them to discuss various matters of mutual interest and potential cooperation in various sectors between Malaysia and Kuwait. On 21 November 2017, H.E. Dato’ Ahmad Rozian Abd. Ghani, Ambassador of Malaysia to the State of Kuwait met with H.E. Ambassador Amal Mijrin Ahmed Al Hamad, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs at the latter’s office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait City.This was the first meeting between them since H.E. Ambassador Amal assumed the post in July 2017. The meeting enabled them to discuss various matters of mutual interest especially on economic relations between Malaysia and Kuwait [3] ASEAN ACTIVITIES IN KUWAIT In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the foundation of ASEAN on 8 August 2017, the ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) Ambassadors led by H.E. Renato Pedro O. Villa, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines and Chairman of ACK for 2017 paid a joint courtesy call on H.E. Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Foreign Affairs Kuwait. During the call, the ASEAN Ambassadors and the Deputy Foreign Minister exchange views on ASEAN- Kuwait and ASEAN- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) relations. H.E. Renato Pedro O. Villa, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines and Chairman of ACK for 2017 led the ASEAN Ambassadors in a joint discussion with Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), led by Mr. Ghanim Al-Ghunaiman, Deputy Director-General (Investment), on 9 August 2017. KFAED was established in 1961 with the purpose to assist Arab and other developing countries in developing their economies particularly by providing them with loans required for the implementation of their development programmes. To date, KFAED has extended its assistance to 106 countries around the world. [4] ASEAN ACTIVITIES IN KUWAIT The ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) succesfully held its 5th Futsal Tournament at Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, Kuwait City. Nine ASEAN embassies in Kuwait and two guest embassies, Japan and Republic of Korea participated in the tournament which saw families, friends and supporters thronging the venue to cheer for their favourite teams. The final match saw Team Red (Indonesia and Thailand) edging Team Green (Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines and Vietnam ) 3-1 to emerge as champion.The 5th ACK Futsal Tournament 2017 was played in a competitive but friendly spirit reflecting the brotherly ties and esprit de corps amongst the ASEAN community in Kuwait. H.E. Renato Pedro O. Villa, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, Chairman of ACK for 2017 led the ASEAN Ambassadors in a joint discussion with Mr. Ali Mohammed Thunayan Al-Ghanim, Chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at the latter’s office in Kuwait City. The Malaysian Embassy was represented by the Second Secretary. KCCI, established in 1959 is a non-government institution representing business and industrial establishments in Kuwait. Its present membership is close to 79,000. [5] ASEAN ACTIVITIES IN KUWAIT On 10 November 2017, the ASEAN Committee On 31 October 2017, H.E. Renato Pedro O. Villa, in Kuwait (ACK) held a family day event at Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) Tent, in Ahmadi. the Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the State of Kuwait and the Chairman of The event was attended by all the ACK Ambassadors, their spouses, members of the ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) for 2017 chaired the ACK Ambassadors Meeting at the Home-Based Staff (HBS) and their families. Besides enjoying the various delicacies Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines. The meeting was attended by all ASEAN prepared by each ASEAN embassy, there were Ambassadors in Kuwait and members of the ACK also singing and dancing performances by the Working Group. participants. On 12 July 2017, the ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) visited the Kuwait Oil Company The ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) (KOC) - Ahmed Al-Jaber Oil and Gas Exhibition organized a Shooting Tournament on 1 December Center. The visit was led by H.E. Renato Pedro 2017 at Mayadeen Shooting Range, Kuwait City. O. Villa, Ambassador of the Republic of the Each embassy was represented by three Philippines, Chairman of ACK for 2017 and joined by Ambassadors and officials from other participants.The team event was won by the Embassy of Myanmar while the individual event ASEAN Embassies in Kuwait. The Embassy of Malaysia was represented by the Second was won by the First Secretary of the Embassy of Vietnam. Secretary. [6] ASEAN ACTIVITIES IN KUWAIT On 28 July 2017, ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) held its annual bowling tournament at Bowling Center, Kuwait Hunting and Equestrian Club. This year’s edition also saw the participation of the Embassies of Japan and Republic of Korea as guest participants.The players were divided into three groups. Team White consisted of the Embassies of Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, the Philippines and Japan. Team Blue was made up of the Embassies of Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and the Republic of Korea. Team Red comprised the Embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.Team Red emerged the champions, followed by Team Blue and Team White. H.E. Renato Pedro O. Villa, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines and Chairman of ACK for 2017 gave away the prizes to the winners. On 27 July 2017, the ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) Ambassadors led by H.E. Renato Pedro O. Villa, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, Chairman of ACK for 2017 paid a joint courtesy call on Mr. Farouk A. Bastaki, Managing Director of Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) at the latter’s office in Kuwait City. During the call, the Managing Director of KIA briefed the ACK Ambassadors on KIA’s role as Kuwait’s main strategic investment arm. [7] ASEAN ACTIVITIES IN KUWAIT The ASEAN Committee in Kuwait (ACK) with the cooperation of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), Kuwait successfully organized the ASEAN Film Week on 3-8 December 2017 at the National Library of Kuwait.The opening ceremony was held on 3 December 2017 with the attendance of all ASEAN Ambassadors in Kuwait, as well as officials from NCCAL, the National Library of Kuwait and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kuwait. For the opening night, Polis Evo, a feature film from Malaysia was screened to the audience in Kuwait. Eight other films from ASEAN countries were also shown to the public on the remaining nights, namely Kayan Beauties (Myanmar), Habibie & Ainun (Indonesia), Ada Apa Dengan Rina (Brunei Darussalam), The Overture (Thailand), Terbaik Dari Langit (Malaysia), Only Love (Laos), Welcome to Vietnam (Vietnam) and Bayan Ko (The Philippines).