The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh kicked off the Philippines' Chairmanship of ASEAN in Cambodia with a lecture-presentation before more than 100 students at the University of Cambodia (UC) in Phnom Penh on 09 January 2017.
In his presentation entitled "PH Chairmanship of ASEAN @ 50," Philippine Ambassador Christopher B. Montero shared with his audience the thematic priorities of the Philippines' chairmanship and the commemorative activities that will be undertaken by the Philippine Government for ASEAN's 50th milestone anniversary. The Ambassador also informed UC students of the commemorative activities in Cambodia that the Embassy will organize in cooperation with the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) and Phnom Penh-based ASEAN missions.
UC's top management and faculty led by Dr. Y Ratana, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Chhun Vannak, Director of the ASEAN Study Center, were present during the lecture, which is the first to be held under UC's "ASEAN Ambassador Lecture Series" organized by the ASEAN Study Center (ASC).
During the Open Forum, Ambassador Montero responded to questions pertaining to the strengthening of educational and youth exchanges as a core goal for a people-centered/people-oriented ASEAN, regional connectivity as an essential platform for economic integration and narrowing of the development gap among ASEAN countries particularly Cambodia, and the prospects for ASEAN's success in the coming years.
Prior to the lecture, Ambassador Montero led the formal inauguration of, and the unveiling of the marker for, the "Philippines Room" which is located at the ASEAN Study Center within the UC campus building. The Philippines holds the distinction as the first ASEAN member to have a country room formally inaugurated at the ASC. The Philippines Room contains reading materials on ASEAN, together with Philippine materials previously donated by the Embassy.
