JAKARTA, 26 February 2024 – Ambassador Ricardo Coppa presented his Letter of Credence as the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to ASEAN to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters today. During the courtesy call that took place after the ceremony of the presentation of the Letter of Credence, Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Coppa on his assumption of office and reiterated the ASEAN Secretariat’s readiness to work closely with Ambassador Coppa and the Embassy of Argentina in Jakarta to further promote ASEAN-Argentina relations. 

Secretary-General Dr. Kao also encouraged Argentina to take advantage of any untapped potentials to promote cooperation with ASEAN in various areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, science and technology, sports, culture, and tourism. He further encouraged Argentina to advance its engagement with ASEAN, through its active role in the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) frameworks. Ambassador Coppa underlined that ASEAN is a key partner in Argentina’s foreign and trade policy. He further expressed his readiness to work closely with ASEAN to strengthen Argentina’s relations and cooperation with ASEAN and the ASEAN Member States. 

Argentina accredited its first Ambassador to ASEAN in 2011. In 2018, Argentina acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) which reflects its commitment to peace and stability in the region. The ASEAN Committee in Buenos Aires (ACBA) was established in 2018 to promote ASEAN’s relations and cooperation with Argentina in the host country.