The Philippines commemorates 56th ASEAN Day by donating funds for more peace-building efforts in ASEAN

11 August 2023

Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN

In commemoration of the 56th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippine Mission to ASEAN renewed the country's commitment to peace-building efforts of ASEAN by donating a voluntary contribution of $10,000 to the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR).  ASEAN-IPR is an "ASEAN institution dedicated to research activities and supporting the ASEAN bodies on the issues of peace, reconciliation, conflict management and conflict resolution."

Permanent Representative to ASEAN and Philippines' Representative to ASEAN-IPR Governing Council, Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, officiated the symbolic turn-over of the contribution to ASEAN-IPR Executive Director I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja at simple ceremonies held on 11 August 2023 at the PH Mission office in Jakarta.  The ceremony was witnessed (virtually) by Mr. Andres S. Aguinaldo, Jr., Executive Director at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and Philippine Representative to the ASEAN-IPR Advisory Board (AB), and attended by H.E. Artauli Tobing, Indonesian Representative to the AB and members of the Institute's Secretariat.

Indonesian Representative to the ASEAN-IPR Advisory Board, H.E. Artauli Tobing (second from left), Permanent Representative of the Philippines Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (third from left), ASEAN-IPR Executive Director I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja (third from right), Philippine Representative to the ASEAN-IPR Advisory Board, Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr. (middle) with the team from ASEAN-IPR Secretariat.

Through this contribution, Amb. Quintana said that "the Philippines hopes to highlight its commitment to the work of ASEAN-IPR, particularly in projects and activities that will further enhance women's engagement for sustainable peace." The Philippines is the main proponent of the ASEAN Women for Peace Registry (AWPR), which pools together women experts in peace processes in the Southeast Asian region.

In thanking the Philippines, ASEAN-IPR Executive Director Puja commended the consistent support being shown by the Philippines to the work of ASEAN-IPR and recalled that the same amount was also donated by the Philippines last March 2022.