(From left) H.E. Mr. Van Tuan Tran (Vietnam), H.E. Mr. Bounliep Houngvongsone (Laos), H.E. Ms. Hafizah Binti Abdullah (Malaysia), H.E. Ambassador Niclas Kvarnström (Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs), H.E. Ms. Maria Lumen Isleta (Philippines), H.E. Mrs Arunrung Phothong Humphreys (Thailand), and H.E. Mr. Kamapradipta Isnomo (Indonesia).

04 October 2023 - Her Excellency Ambassador of the Philippines Maria Lumen B. Isleta together with other members of the ASEAN Committee in Stockholm, comprised of the Ambassadors of ASEAN Embassies in Stockholm, commemorated the 56th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia on 29 September 2023.

Ambassador Niclas Kvarnström, Director of the Department for Asia, the Pacific Region and Latin America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, was the Guest of Honor. Invitees included Ambassadors of ASEAN Dialogue, Sectoral Dialogue, and Development Partner and Strategic Partner countries; Swedish government officials; and members of the ASEAN Embassies in Stockholm.

Guests were treated to the delicious assortment of ASEAN delicacies which reflected the unique flavors of Southeast Asia, which included Malaysia’s Roti Jala and Kari Ayam as well as Kuih Gendang Kasturi; Indonesia’s Martabak Tahu and Lapis Beras; Lao PDR’s Khao Tom; the Philippines’ Pandesal with chicken adobo flakes and Puto with cheese; Thailand’s Curry Puff; and Viet Nam’s Fried Spring Rolls.

ASEAN was established following the signing of the ASEAN Declaration on 08 August 2023 by the five founding members—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Since then, it has expanded to include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. END.