Ms. Jaini was appointed as Brunei Darussalam’s Representative to the ASEAN Institute of Peace and Reconciliation Advisory Board in September 2022. Her other responsibilities include the Department of Policy Planning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  of Brunei Darussalam, as well as the Brunei Darussalam Institute of Policy and Strategic  Studies (BDIPSS), a think tank arm of the Foreign Ministry. 

She is a career diplomat, having joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2004. Her first assignment was to the Politics I Department (now Department of East Asia), mainly handling the Northeast Asia portfolio. In her 18 years of service at the Ministry, she has completed two overseas assignments, namely as Second Secretary at the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam to the People’s Republic of China in Beijing (2006–2010) and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Brunei Darussalam to the United Nations in New York (2015–2020). 

Ms. Jaini earned her Masters degree in International Conflict Analysis at the University of Kent at Canterbury in 2002. 

H.E. Ambassador Yeap Samnang was born on 1 December 1979 in Pursat Province of Cambodia. He is currently the Director-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia. He also sits as the Representative of Cambodia to the Advisory Board (AB) of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR).

Prior to his current post, he was the Permanent Representative of Cambodia to ASEAN from 2018 to 2022, Deputy Director-General for ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) and for Community and Corporate Affairs (CCA) from 2016 to 2019 at the General-Department of ASEAN (ASEAN-Cambodia), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia (MFA.IC). He has been appointed ? among others ? as Deputy Director, Head of Division of Administration and ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation at ASEAN-Cambodia (2015-2016); First Secretary at the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to the Republic of Indonesia and Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to ASEAN in Jakarta (2011-2015); and Deputy Director, Head of Division of ASEAN Political Cooperation at ASEAN-Cambodia (2010-2011). Before joining the MFA.IC in December 2004, he had been serving as a Desk Official at Bureau of Legislation and Copyrights at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia from 2002.

Besides, Ambassador Samnang has also working background with NGOs/SCOs, teams of students, youth activities and a researcher in Cambodia. He is awarded with a Master Degree of Social (M.Sos) in Diplomacy from Paramadina Graduate School of Diplomacy in Jakarta, Indonesia, and a Diploma of High-Ranking Civil Servants, majoring in Diplomacy, from the Royal School of Administration in Phnom Penh. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Public Law from the Royal University of Law and Economics, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

He was decorated the Royal Order of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Commander in 2018.

Ambassador Tobing is the Indonesian Representative to the Advisory Board of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR). Previous to this, she was the Indonesian Representative to the Governing Council of ASEAN-IPR from 2017-2021 and also the Indonesian Representative to the Advisory Board of ASEAN-IPR (2014-2017). She also served as the Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam from January 2004 until February 2007. She was awarded the Medal for Friendship from Vietnam Union Friendship Organization, Hanoi, Vietnam (6 February 2007).

After returning from Vietnam, she served as the Head of the Policy Planning Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia until her retirement in 2010.

After her retirement, she served as the Executive Secretary to the Presidential Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs, Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda from March 2011 until October 2014. She also served as the Eminent Person’s Group representing Indonesia to the Indian Ocean Dialogue in 2015.

In addition to being a diplomat, Ambassador Tobing also lectured at the graduate program on ASEAN Diplomacy at the Paramadina University from 2014 until 2017 and also at Pelita Harapan University for the international program. She has also been involved in mentoring Senior Level Diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Educational Training Institute since 2015.

Born in Jakarta, Ambassador Tobing earned a Degree in English Literature from the University of Indonesia in 1976 and was awarded the Fulbright & Hayes Scholarship for her Master’s degree in American Studies at the George Washington University in Washington DC from September 1976 – June 1978.

Ambassador Tobing started her career as a diplomat at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in 1981 and was posted at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia in Geneva from August 1984 – August 1988, the Indonesian Mission to the EU in Brussels from August 1992 – August 1996 and also at the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa from June 1999 – July 2002 the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa. At Headquarters, she was also assigned in the Office of Directorate General for Political Affairs, ASEAN Department and the Policy Planning Department.
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H.E. Khamfeuang PHANTHAXAY is currently the Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the Republic of Indonesia. In December 2023, he has been appointed as the Representative of the Lao PDR to the Advisory Board of the ASEAN Institute for Peace & Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR).

Prior to holding his current position, he was the Director General of the Research and Multilateral Relations Department position at the Committee for External Relations of the Central Committee of the Lao PRP (CERCCP) from May 2021 to October 2023.

Ambassador PHANTHAXAY began his career as a Desk Official of the International Relations of Mass Organizations Department at the CERCCP in 2001, and then served as the Deputy Director of Division from October 2010 to December 2010. From 2011 to 2014, he represented the Lao PDR as the Second Secretary and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Laos in the Philippines. He then served as the Deputy Director of the Europe and American Division, Party Relations Department, CERCCP from July 2014 to September 2014 and later became the Director of Division from October 2014 until May 2016. Subsequently, he held the position of the Director of Division of the Strategic Research Division from June 2016 to June 2017 and later served as the Deputy Director General from July 2017 until April 2021 in the Research and Information Department at the CERCCP.

Ambassador PHANTHAXAY holds Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (2000) and Linguistics (2004) from the National University of Laos; and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Flinders University, Australia (2008). Beyond his diplomatic achievements, he has received recognition for his contributions, being awarded a Labour Medal by the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR and a Third Class Labour Order by the President of the Lao PDR. Ambassador PHANTHAXAY is married with two daughters.

Dato’ Sri Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim is the Representative of Malaysia to the Advisory Board of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR).

Between 2013-2018 he was appointed by then Prime Minister as Facilitator of the Join Working Group Peace Dialogue Process on Southern Thailand (JWG-PDP). He was Vice-President (Analysis) of Malaysia Islamic Dakwah Foundation (YADIM) between November 2011-July 2013. From 2009 to 2011, he was Director General for Research Division, Prime Minister’s Department.  In 1976, he was appointed as Assistant Director for Research Division, Prime Minister’s Department.

Dato’ Sri Ahmad Zamzamin holds a Diploma in Military Strategy (Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College (7/87) Highgate, Kuala Lumpur); and an Honours degree in Social Science, majoring in Political Science (University Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang).

H.E. U Than Htun
Representative of Myanmar to the ASEAN-IPR Advisory Board

Holds Bachelor of Arts, Rangon Arts and Science University (RASU) 1968. Joined the Myanmar Foreign Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1974.

Awarded Colombo Plan Scholar in Diploma, Australian Foreign Service Training Course, Canberra A.C.T., 1980.

Posted oversea assignment as third secretary to the Myanmar Permanent Representative Office accredited to the United Nations Office for Europe, Palais des Nations in Geneva 1981-1984.Served at the various Myanmar Embassies abroad.

Achieved Master in International Public Policy, MIPP program of Johns Hopkins University , Fulbright Scholarship,  at the School of Advance International Studies, SAIS, Washington D.C. 1987-88. Attended the pre-academic program for the scholarship at the University of Texas, Austin, USA, 1987.

Soon after retiring from the foreign service, in 2004, extended the career as an advisor and nominated to the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Myanmar-ISIS ) which is affiliated to ASEAN-ISIS.

H.E. U Than Htun is contributing his foreign service experience as a scholar and serving as one of the members at Myanmar-ISIS until today.

Assigned duty as a member of ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) Advisory Board for the first three years term from January 2022 to December 2024.

[Note: Myanmar-ISIS is one of the international and strategic studies Institutes which is affiliated to the Track II Diplomacy related Institute, ASEAN-ISIS in the region as a full-fledged member. The Myanmar ISIS also serves as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of International Cooperation of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar]

Executive Director Andres S. Aguinaldo, Jr.

Executive Director Andres S. Aguinaldo, Jr. is currently the Executive Director IV for Plans and Programs of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). Prior to his appointment as Executive Director IV, he has been appointed as – among others – Director IV (January 2019 – December 02, 2019) and Assistant Secretary for Reconciliation and Unity (December 03, 2019 – June 30, 2022) at OPAPRU.

Before his appointment at OPAPRU, Executive Director Aguinaldo Jr. began his military career when he joined the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1985, leading to his Bachelor of Science Degree. Since then, he served the Philippine Army in various capacities such as being an Assistant Division Commander, Brigade Commander, Deputy Brigade Commander, Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Intel Officer and Platoon Leader among others.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Philippine Christian University and a Professional Directors Program Course from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Throughout his more than three-decade military career, he has received various honors and awards including the Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal Award, Gawad sa Kaunlaran Award, United Nations Service Medal and Ribbon, Honor Graduate Awards, twenty (20) Military Commendation Medals, thirty (30) Military Merit Medals, and twenty-five (25) Letters of Commendations.

In November 2022, he has been appointed as the new representative of the Philippines to the ASEAN-Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) Advisory Board.

Mr. Lawrence Anderson is currently a Senior Fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).  Mr. Anderson was the former Ambassador of Singapore to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Non-Resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain from March 2013 to September 2019. Prior to joining RSIS, Mr. Anderson was Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), where he oversaw ASEF’s work in acting as the civil society outreach for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and to promote people-to-people exchange between Asia and Europe.

Mr. Anderson joined the Singapore Foreign Service in 1984. His overseas postings include the Singapore Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, the Singapore Embassy in Washington, and the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok. He was also the Singapore Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia from 2004-07.  In MFA Headquarters, he held various appointments covering Singapore’s bilateral relations with its Southeast Asian neighbours, regional policy and strategic security issues involving ASEAN and its relations with the Dialogue Partners, overseeing Singapore’s technical assistance cooperation programmes, as well as managing Singapore’s relations with Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific Islands, the EU and other European countries. Mr. Anderson also served concurrently as Director/Special Duties in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomat-in-Residence at the Civil Service College from 2011 to 2013.

Dr. Sukontasap is Co-Founder and a Director of the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (IDIS), Rangsit University, Thailand. He is also Director, International Institute for Trade and Development-ITD (Public Organization), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, and an Advisor to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Senate of Thailand.

He was previously the Thailand’s Governing Council to the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) and Governor of Thailand to the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).

Dr. Sukontasap specializes in regional security issues and topics on regional trade and economic development. He has done extensive work on ASEAN affairs, both from the regional security and international trade perspectives.

A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Sukontasap received a doctorate degree in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, Tufts University. He also completed the Program on Managing Global Business for Senior Executives at L’Institut Europeen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD), France.

DG Vu Ho is a seasoned diplomat with over 20 years of rich experience in ASEAN affairs. Prior to assuming the current position, he has served different roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam including Desk Officer of Department of Economic Affairs (1993), Department of Southeast Asia (1993 – 1994), and ASEAN Department (1994 – 2005); Assistant Director-General, and then Deputy Director-General of ASEAN Department (2005 – 2013); Acting Director-General of the ASEAN Department (2016 – 2017) and Director-General of the ASEAN Department since 2017. He was appointed as Deputy ASEAN SOM Leader in 2021 and then Acting ASEAN SOM Leader in March 2022.

In his overseas posting, he was the Third Secretary of Viet Nam’s Embassy in Washington DC (1999 – 2002) and the Vice Consul-General of Viet Nam’s Consulate General in Houston (2013-2016).

Before beginning his diplomat career, he was the Chief of Office of Izvestia Russian Daily Newspapers (1988 – 1989) and Officer of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) (1992 – 1993).

DG Vu Ho graduated from the University of Language and International Studies in Hanoi, Vietnam National University, and gained his MA in Economics and International Relations from the Russian Foreign Trade Academy and Johns Hopkins University, respectively.

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