29 March 2017 SOLO, INDONESIA — Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, delivered a public lecture on ASEAN at the Universitas Sebelas Maret in Solo, Indonesia on March 22.

Speaking before the students of university’s Center for ASEAN Studies, Ambassador Buensuceso, who also chairs the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) in Jakarta, discussed the transformation of ASEAN since its establishment in 1967, describing it as an economic powerhouse of 629 million people with a combined GDP of over US$2.5 trillion. She also explained ASEAN’s conduct of external relations, detailing the various ASEAN-led mechanisms like the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC) with Dialogue Partners.  

During her lecture, Ambassador Buensuceso also informed the students that the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN this year will revolve around the following thematic priorities under the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”: people-centered, people-oriented ASEAN, peace and stability, maritime security and cooperation, inclusive and innovation-led growth, resilient ASEAN, and ASEAN as a model of regionalism and a global player.

Universitas Sebelas Maret is one of Indonesia's largest universities with enrollment of around 36,000 students. 

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