PHOTO: Philippine Representative to ASEAN H.E. Elizabeth P. Buensuceso (fifth from left), join the members of the Governing Council of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) for the 2nd Governing Council Meeting in Bali, Indonesia.
21 April 2014, Bali, Indonesia - Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN and Member of the Governing Council ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso joined the other members of the Council in Bali, Indonesia for their second meeting to discuss among other things, the future direction and work plan of the Institute.
During the meeting, the Council members, who consist of high-ranking representatives from all ten ASEAN Member States (AMS) approved and adopted the Rules of Procedure (ROP) of the AIPR Governing Council, as well as the Guidelines for the Recruitment of the AIPR Executive Director.
Based on the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the AIPR, the Institute shall have an Executive Director who will represent the Institute in all administrative and operational matters, and manage all its activities, including fund-raising activities. He will be responsible to the Governing Council and make regular reports of the Institute’s activities. The Executive director will be openly hired from nationals of ASEAN Member States and will have a non-renewable term of three years. The Council hopes to hire the Institute’s first Executive Director before the end of the year.
The Council also received updates on the status of the AIPR headquarters, which will be provided by the Institute’s host country, Indonesia. Ambassador Bagas Hapsoro, Indonesia’s representative to the AIPR Governing Council, reported that his government has already identified a building in South Jakarta for the headquarters and is currently preparing and securing the site for use within the year.
The AIPR was established through a joint statement by ASEAN Heads of State which was delivered during the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia in May 2011. The Governing Council held its first meeting in December 2013. The Philippines, through the Philippine Mission to ASEAN and the Department of Foreign Affairs, hosted the first AIPR Symposium on Peace and Reconciliation Processes and Initiatives earlier this month. A second symposium will be held from 22-23 April in Bali, Indonesia, focusing on Peace and Reconciliation: Principles and Best Practices. - END
