Diplomats from Asean take part in bowling event

Gulf Times, 8 August 2010 - Some 30 diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) embassies in Doha yesterday took part in a bowling event to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of the organisation.

The event took place at Qatar Bowling Centre, and occupying the position of chairman of Asean, the embassy of Vietnam organised and hosted the day’s celebrations. 

Asean General Secretary Surin Pitsuwan praised the contribution of Vietnam towards the Asean nations, noting that in the 15 years since their admission to the organisation, the country has become increasingly proactive, having started a number of Asean initiatives and supporting cooperation between the countries.

Whilst Asean was established in 1967 with five founding members, the number of countries in the organisation has since doubled, and last year the first Asean–GCC ministerial meeting was held in Bahrain.  

The meeting saw the adoption of the Asean-GCC Joint Vision, which identified a number of areas for co-operation and partnership.  The second meeting, in Singapore earlier this year, resulted in the ministers ratifying an Asean-GCC Two Year Action Plan, including partnerships in a number of specific sectors, such as: trade, investment, agriculture, food security, energy, tourism, education, culture and information.