H.E. Alan Peter S. Cayetano signs the official guestbook of the ASEAN Secretariat as ASEAN Secretary-General H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi looks on.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano met with ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi on 20 August 2018 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta and discussed cooperation on a number of issues, particularly on strengthening the capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN’s response to socio-cultural issues, including disaster management.

During the working lunch at the ASEAN Secretariat, Secretary Cayetano reaffirmed the Philippines’ full support to the ASEAN Secretariat, especially in terms of ensuring that it has the necessary resources to cope with its ever-expanding portfolio.

“The vision of our Leaders for ASEAN is there,” Secretary Cayetano emphasized. “But we need the resources to implement it. We (Ministers) should have at least one meeting here to show our support to the ASEAN Secretariat.” Secretary Cayetano also warmly acknowledged the important contributions of the over 20 Filipinos working in the ASEAN Secretariat in various capacities.

Secretary-General Lim emphasized that “we are truly one ASEAN family, and we are here to implement the blueprints (on ASEAN community building) approved by the Leaders.” He also stressed the need to beef up the Permanent Missions to ASEAN with representatives from the economic and socio-cultural pillars to assist in the negotiations of various ASEAN documents or agreements.

Secretary Cayetano and Secretary-General Lim also both agreed on the need to strengthen the capacity of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).

Secretary Cayetano presented Secretary-General Lim with a unique ostrich egg artwork by Filipino artist Danny Rayos Del Sol entitled Mag-Ina (Mother and Child), which will be on permanent display at the ASEAN Gallery.

Secretary Cayetano also met with the Filipino staff of the ASEAN Secretariat and the officers and staff of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN and lauded the Mission staff for being this year’s DFA Best Organization awardee.

Secretary Cayetano was accompanied by Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong T. Wee, DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Meynardo Montealegre, and Philippine Consul General to Manado Oscar Orcine.

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