On 11-13 October 2012, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Governors from 48 ASEM(Asia-Europe Meeting) members met for the 29th ASEF Board of Governors’ (BOG) Meeting in New Delhi, India. The Asia-Europe Foundation established in 1997, is an inter-governmental institution that commemorates its 15th Anniversary this year.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India hosted the ASEF Board of Governors’ Meeting for the first time since India became a member of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process in 2007. The ASEF Board of Governors discussed projects for 2013, consistent with the ASEM mandate and priorities.
In 2013, ASEF will be organising the 9th ASEF Journalists’ Colloquium in India, focusing on the issue of energy and the environment in the context of sustainable development and poverty reduction. This was one of the 18 projects approved by the 29th BOG in New Delhi.
Secretary (East), HE Mr Sanjay Singh, speaking at the official dinner in honour of the ASEF Board of Governors, thanked the outgoing Executive Director, Amb Michel Filhol, for his guidance to ASEF activities and welcomed the incoming Executive Director, Amb Zhang Yan. He also extended a warm welcome to Amb Roland van Remoortele, ASEF Governor for Belgium and current Vice-Chairman, who would be taking over as Chairman of the Board in 2013, succeeding Amb Soemadi Brotodiningrat of Indonesia.
The Secretary spoke about the increasing importance of ASEF in building intellectual, cultural and people-to-people bridges between Asia and Europe. “ASEF’s strength lies in its mandate to bring together civil society and government for constructive dialogue and interaction,” he said.
He also proposed that the ASEF agenda must diversify towards requirements of development and economic growth and facilitate partnership within ASEM in new areas such as science and technology, education and human resource development.
The Governors elected Amb Rosario Manalo from the Philippines, nominated by the Asian group of Governors, as the Vice-Chairman of 2013.
New Delhi
October 12, 2012
