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At the invitation of H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will lead the ASEAN Secretariat Delegation to participate in the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, to be held in Kazan, Russia, on 18 June 2026, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations. The Commemorative Summit will provide a timely and valuable opportunity for ASEAN and Russia to chart new prospects for mutually beneficial relations, and to further strengthen the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership. In conjunction with the Commemorative Summit, on 17 June 2026, Dr. Kao will also participate and deliver remarks at the ASEAN-Russia Business Forum, an important platform to strengthen economic engagement and advance business cooperation between ASEAN and Russia.

Today, the people of the Philippines commemorate Independence Day, marking the nation’s declaration of independence in 1898.    This year marks 128 years of independence, a journey shaped by resilience, courage, and a deep sense of national pride. Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!    #ASEANNationalDay

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening attended the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America as the Guest of Honour, at the residence of the United States Ambassador to Indonesia in Jakarta. In his remarks, Secretary-General Dr. Kao highlighted the robust and enduring ASEAN–United States partnership and looked forward to commemorating the 50th  Anniversary of ASEAN–United States Dialogue Relations and the 5th Anniversary of the ASEAN–United States Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2027. He also welcomed the United States' role as a host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, noting that these events would serve as powerful platforms for promoting people-to-people connections and cementing the unifying spirit of sports. The reception was jointly hosted by the Embassy of the United States in Indonesia and the United States Mission to ASEAN, and was attended by government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business community, and representatives from various sectors. Read the full remarks: asean.org/wp-content/upl…

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Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Associate Vice-President of University of Hong Kong, Prof. Tang Heiwai, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides exchanged views on potential avenues for cooperation between ASEAN and Hong Kong, China, particularly in areas of people-to-people connectivity and education.

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Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this afternoon met with H.E. Christopher Landau, the United States’ Deputy Secretary of State, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides discussed ways to further advance the ASEAN-United States Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), including initiatives to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-US Dialogue Relations and the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2027. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, as well as other topics of mutual interest.

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ASEAN and the EU reviewed the progress of cooperation and exchanged views on potential areas of future cooperation during the 33rd Meeting of the ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee, held today at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was co-chaired by the Permanent Representative of Brunei Darussalam to ASEAN, H.E. Latifah Zaini, and the Head of Southeast Asia and ASEAN Division at the European External Action Service, Ms. Leila Fernández-Stembridge, together with the Acting Head of Unit for South and South-East Asia at the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships, Mr. Ian Hoskins. Permanent Representatives of ASEAN Member States or their representatives and the staff of the ASEAN Secretariat attended the meeting.

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The Ambassador of the United States of America to ASEAN, H.E. Kevin Kim, today presented his Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.   Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Kim on the commencement of his tenure and reaffirmed the importance of the ASEAN-United States (U.S.) Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in advancing peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted the U.S.’s longstanding engagement with ASEAN and appreciated its unwavering support for ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN Community-building efforts, regional economic integration, digital transformation, and development initiatives.   Secretary-General Dr. Kao underscored the significance of ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), in fostering dialogue, mutual trust, and cooperation on regional and global issues of common concern. He highlighted that the U.S. has been a steadfast partner and actively participated in these mechanisms.   Ambassador Kim reaffirmed the United States’ support for ASEAN centrality and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in support of the ASEAN-United States Leaders’ Joint Vision Statement to Promote Stronger, Safer, and More Prosperous ASEAN and America adopted in 2025. Ambassador Kim noted the United States is a proud Pacific nation and highlighted opportunities for expanded partnership to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific that benefits our combined one billion people. He also welcomed the upcoming 50th anniversary of ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations in 2027.   The U.S. became a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1977 and established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN in 2022. Reflecting its longstanding commitment to ASEAN, the U.S. appointed its first Ambassador to ASEAN in 2008 and established its dedicated Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia, in June 2010. Ambassador Kim is the fifth U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN to date.

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Located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Royal Regalia Museum reflects the rich heritage and royal traditions of Brunei Darussalam. Officially inaugurated in 1992 by His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the museum was opened to mark the Silver Jubilee of his accession to the throne. Its architectural design embodies the national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (Melayu Islam Beraja), while showcasing an extensive collection of royal regalia and ceremonial artefacts. Explore more: bit.ly/RegaliaBN #ASEANMuseum

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Ambassador of Egypt to ASEAN, H.E. Yasser Hassan Farag Elshemy, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on ways to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and Egypt.

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Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Ms. Keiko Miwa, Division Director for Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. They exchanged views on harnessing finance in supporting private sector development and explored areas of potential collaboration between ASEAN and the IFC on digital payments connectivity, financial inclusion, MSME development, and sustainability.

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Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Vice President of Huawei Asia Pacific, Mr. Peter Pan Junfeng, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During the meeting, Huawei expressed its appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat for the strong relationship and meaningful engagements established over the years. Mr. Peter Pan Junfeng also introduced Mr. Vincent Xu Ke, the incoming Vice President of Huawei Asia Pacific, who will further strengthen Huawei’s collaboration with ASEAN moving forward.

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Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a courtesy call from H.E. Sheikh Abdul Karim Harelimana, Ambassador of Rwanda to the Republic of Indonesia, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides exchanged views on ways to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and Rwanda.

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The ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials’ Meeting convened on 9 June 2026 to discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen dialogue, cooperation, and confidence-building measures, with a view to enhancing the ARF’s relevance in addressing regional security challenges. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern. Photo credit: ASEAN NOC

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ASEAN is empowering every generation to thrive in the digital world. From youth to older persons, everyone has a role to play in driving digitalisation and innovation to bring valuable experience, knowledge, and perspective for an inclusive digital future. Explore how these policies are shaping our shared future: bit.ly/ASCC_Strategic… #ASEAN #ASEANCommunity #ASCCStrategicPlan #ASCCPost2025 #JapanASEANIntegrationFund #JAIF #ACV2045

Today, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya S. Soeprapto, delivered remarks at the 2026 Liaoning International Friendship Cities Conference. Held alongside the 2026 ASEAN–China Media Cooperation Forum in Liaoning Province, the Friendship Cities Conference promotes practical cooperation among local governments, industries, and institutions, while the Media Forum strengthens mutual understanding and people-to-people ties. Together, they help translate regional cooperation into tangible benefits for communities. The events take place as ASEAN and China commemorate the 35th anniversary of their Dialogue Relations and the 5th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), underscoring a partnership that has grown stronger, deeper, and more comprehensive over the past three and a half decades. Photo credit: ASEAN China Centre

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Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today paid a courtesy call on H.E. General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Both sides underscored the importance of ASEAN defence cooperation and discussed early preparations for the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ADMM-Plus, to be held in the later part of this year.

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On 9 June 2026, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Nararya Soeprapto, delivered remarks at the 2026 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum. In his remarks, he highlighted the growing importance of media cooperation as ASEAN and China commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and the 35th anniversary of ASEAN–China Dialogue Relations. Attended by media representatives and influencers from ASEAN Member States and China, the Forum serves as a valuable platform for forward-looking reporting, fostering trust, mutual understanding, and closer people-to-people ties in an era of rapid digital information. Photo credit: ASEAN China Centre

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The East Asia Summit (EAS) Senior Officials’ Meeting took place on 9 June 2026, in Manila, Philippines, attended by EAS Senior Officials and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community. The Meeting reviewed the progress of EAS cooperation through the implementation of the EAS Plan of Action (2024-2028) and exchanged views on regional and international developments. The Meeting also discussed preparations for the 16th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July 2026 and the 21st East Asia Summit in November 2026. Photo credit: ASEAN NOC

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The ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Senior Officials’ Meeting convened on 9 June 2026, in Manila, the Philippines, attended by Senior Officials from the APT countries, or their representatives, and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community. The Meeting reviewed progress of the implementation of the APT Cooperation Work Plan (2023–2027) and discussed the future direction of APT cooperation. The Senior Officials also discussed preparations for the 27th APT Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July and the 29th APT Summit in November. Photo credit: ASEAN NOC

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