Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso chairing the first Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) Meeting of 2017. (Photo: ASEAN Secretariat)

18 January 2017 - Coming at the heels of the launch of the Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN in Davao City last 15 January 2017, the Philippines chaired the first Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) Meeting of 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia on 18 January 2017.

The Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, steered the discussions that covered a wide range of issues including  implementation of recommendations on the strengthening of ASEAN’s institutions and arrangements for the upcoming events with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners including Australia, Japan, Korea, Norway, and  Russia.  The CPR also decided on key issues in relation to the East Asia Summit (EAS).  Discussions also set the CPR 2017 work plan, including identifying specific deliverables in these areas, in this landmark year of the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of ASEAN.

The CPR is comprised of the ten (10) Permanent Representatives/Ambassadors of the Member States to ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The CPR meetings are convened at least once a month and as Chair, the Philippines will lead the discussions all throughout 2017. It is the main ASEAN body tasked to assist the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC), conduct the external relations of ASEAN, and, together with the ASEAN Secretariat, coordinate all three pillars of the ASEAN Community and endeavor to strengthen the institutions of ASEAN, including the ASEAN Secretariat.  The CPR is assisted by a Working Group that prepares documents for discussion during the CPR meetings

-END-