Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc speaks at the event. Photo: baoquocte.vn

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the ASEAN Women's Circle of Hanoi (AWCH) held the ASEAN Family Day 2022 on August 13 on the occasion of the 55th founding anniversary of the bloc and 27 years of Vietnam's membership in the group, VNA reported Saturday.

Addressing the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc highlighted ASEAN's achievements after more than half a century, saying that the bloc plays an important role in peace, stability and security in the region, and is a reliable partner for countries and organisations in the region and around the world.

The ASEAN Family Day 2022, held face-to-face after a two year hiatus because of the Covid-19 crisis, demonstrates joint efforts to respond to the pandemic, as well as strong support and commitment to ASEAN.

It is an important forum to connect colleagues, friends, families in the ASEAN Community and partners in Hanoi, helping enhance friendship and cooperation, and raise public awareness of the ASEAN community, he added.

Ambassadors of ASEAN countries in Italy in a group photo. Photo: baoquocte.vn

The event offers a chance for families and friends from ASEAN member countries and partners to meet, thus cultivating their friendship, solidarity and cooperation.

Right after the opening ceremony, a large number of delegates participated in a friendship cycling programme, and cultural and sports exchange activities.

Close to 200 guests were present at the event to taste unique food of ASEAN member states and join various team games.

Honorary President of the AWCH and Spouse of Foreign Minister Vu Thi Bich Ngoc highlighted the meaning of ASEAN Family Day as an occasion to strengthen the bond among members of the ASEAN family and to pay tribute to the older generations who had laid the basis for the formation of the ASEAN Community.

She also expressed her joy at AWCH’s development in the past seven years with many activities such as raising funds to support disadvantaged women and children, and build schools; and promoting products and tourism, among others, contributing to promoting ASEAN identity and preserving traditional values of the member countries.

Founded in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

With a population of more than 650 million and GDP of about USD 4 trillion in 2021, ASEAN is the most promising and dynamic market in the world.

After the opening ceremony, nearly 200 participants cycled together across a 10-km distance to demonstrate their concerted strength, determination and mutual support, which are considered a tradition of Southeast Asian nations. Photo: baoquocte.vn

Participants of the ASEAN Family Day 2022 in Hanoi cycle together. Photo: baoquocte.vn

Previous, over 120 delegates from representative missions of Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar in Cuba on August 8 gathered together in a flag hoisting ceremony to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of ASEAN.

This is the first time an event of this kind has been held in Cuba after the ASEAN Committee in Havana, Cuba (ACHC) was officially established on April 13 this year.

Also on August 8, ASEAN Committee in Mexico City (ACMC) coordinated with the administration of Mexico City and three ASEAN partners of Japan, the Republic of Korea and China to hold a cultural and culinary festival called Bazaar ASEAN 3 to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of the ASEAN.

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