New ACD chairman to further promote Asean to a wider community in Qatar

The new Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) Committee in Doha (ACD) chairman wants to further promote and enhance the profile and visibility of the bloc to a wider community in Qatar.
“Although Asean has been recognised and welcomed by governments, but I believe that we still have to reach out to business circle and other social groups, media and academia,” said Thai ambassador Soonthorn Chaiyindeepum, who received the chairmanship from Philippine ambassador Wilfredo Santos last Saturday at the Asean Night at Hilton Doha Hotel.
Seeking the support of his colleagues, the envoy cited three ‘special interests’ he plans to do: first, highlight the achievement and potential of the bloc on its 50th anniversary on August 8 next year “for greater co-operation with this part of the world.”
He said there is a need to use ACD’s “diverse but collective strength” in promoting Asean to the Qatari public and expatriates in the country.
“Looking ahead, 2017 will be important for Asean, for it will be the 50th year since its founding in 1967.  The Asean community building continues to make good progress and I am certain that our governments are also hoping that we will continue to draw support from the host countries including Qatar,” the envoy pointed out.
Chaiyindeepum hopes the ‘ACD Working Group’ will come up with several ideas and proposals regarding this plan.
Second, he plans to continue their community building within Asean the community such as strengthening its partnership with the Philippine School of Doha (PSD), which has been hosting the Asean Day celebration.
PSD is expected to transfer its operations next year at its new and bigger campus in Abu Hamour.
The envoy sees an expansion of the Asean Day celebration with “the wider Asean community” through a number of new activities and sports events.
Third, he hopes to strengthen their bond among Asean missions in Doha by holding various events such as Family Day and Asean Night, among others.
“I am conscious of the duties and tasks ahead and the trust that you’ve bestowed upon me.  I will try my best to fulfil this aspiration and meet the expectation of all members in the coming year,” Chaiyindeepum said.
While recognising the accomplishments of Santos and other previous chairmen, Chaiyindeepum welcomed Brunei ambassador Nordin Ahmad as the next ACD vice chair.
In his speech, outgoing ACD chairman Santos thanked his fellow Asean ambassadors and the Working Group Committee members, as well as the Philippine mission staff in Doha for their support during his term.
“For the 50th anniversary of Asean, we hope to highlight the bloc as a model of regionalism and a global player, with the interest of the people at its core,” he said.
“We hope that with the able leadership of Thailand next year, the ACD will pursue various initiatives which will enhance co-operation with global partners and to make this happen, we will need the co-operation and support of all Asean member-states and our dialogue partners,” Santos stressed.