ASEAN FAMILY GATHERING 2016
The Embassy of Malaysia in Havana, Republic of Cuba hosted the ASEAN Family Gathering 2016 in conjunction with the 49th ASEAN Day celebration on Saturday, 13th August 2016 at the Embassy of Malaysia. The event is aim to enhance and elevate the spirit of friendship and at the same time to promote awareness about ASEAN among the ASEAN community in Havana. All other five ASEAN Missions, namely Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia as well as Malaysian students, officials from the Cuban government, local and international media and Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program’s Alumni attended the event.
The event started with the flags raising of Malaysia and ASEAN accompanied by rendition of Negaraku and ASEAN; The ASEAN Way anthems. Subsequently, His Excellency Khairi Omar, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of Cuba and as a capacity of the Chairman for the ASEAN Ambassadors’ Group delivered his welcoming remarks. He welcomed the ASEAN family as well as Timor-Leste to the ASEAN Family Gathering 2016 that make the effort to join despite their busy schedule. His Excellency Khairi Omar praised and highlighted the achievements accomplished by ASEAN countries thus far in the economic, politic and social areas. He also also took the opportunity to deliver YABhg. Dato Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia remarks on the 49th ASEAN Day 2016 that was celebrated every 8 August.
The event continued with outdoor activities participated by the ASEAN members. They formed teams comprised of participants from different ASEAN countries; red, blue, yellow and white to compete in games such as musical chair, balloon explosion, water filling and blindfolded balloon explosion. At lunch time, participants helped themselves with an array of ASEAN cuisines on pot luck basis.
The event also received coverage from local and international media that want to experience and uniqueness of ASEAN community in Havana. His Excellency Khairi Omar took the opportunity to brief the medias the spirit and roles played by ASEAN for its members and at the international platform. Before he ends his interview, he expressed and wished on behalf of the Government and the people of Malaysia, sincere felicitations on the occasion of His Excellency Fidel Castro’s 90th birthday which falls on 13 August 2016.