Philippine, Indonesian Consulates Keen to Promote ASEAN In San Francisco
In the photo (right), Indonesian Consul General Yohpy Ichsan Wardana (right) receives Philippine Consul General Arnel Talisayon. (San Francisco PCG Photo)
San Francisco, California – The Consulates General of the Philippines and Indonesia–countries that are both founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–discussed ways to to promote greater awareness about the regional bloc during a meeting at the Indonesian Consulate on 15 April.
These include possible joint activities with fellow ASEAN consulates in San Francisco, namely Singapore and Viet Nam, and greater use of ASEAN branding to raise visibility.
ASEAN is a group of 11 Southeast Asian countries that was founded in August 1967 to promote amity and cooperation in the region. The rotating chairship is now held by the Philippines, which has identified peace and security, economic prosperity, and people empowerment as its strategic priorities.
The call of Philippine consulate officials on Indonesian counterparts underscores the importance of regional solidarity even outside Southeast Asia. Apart from political, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation, specific frameworks agreed on by ASEAN countries include the mutual protection of ASEAN nationals.
Key documents include, for instance, the “Guidelines on Consular Assistance by ASEAN Member States’ Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of Other ASEAN Member States” and the “Guidelines for the Provision of Emergency Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of ASEAN Member Countries in Crisis Situations.”
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