On 8 August 2023, HE Datin Paduka Siti Hajjar Adnin, as the current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa (ACO) together with other ASEAN Heads of Mission (HOMs) hosted a reception commemorating the 56th Anniversary of ASEAN. The reception was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Ottawa. This year, 120 guests attended the event.
The event began with the ASEAN anthem and a video message from the Secretary General of ASEAN, HE Dr Kao Kim Hourn. HE Datin Paduka Siti Hajjar Adnin delivered her welcoming remarks in which she emphasised on how ASEAN-Canada cooperation has developed and diversified in many important areas over the years. ASEAN also fully welcomes Canada’s interest to strengthen engagement with ASEAN and other Indo-Pacific countries through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The Guest of Honour of the reception was Associate Deputy Minister of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), HE Cindy Termorshuizen. The reception was also attended by The Honourable MP Chandra Arya, senior officials of the Government of Canada and the diplomatic corps in Ottawa.