On 6 May 2024, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz received a courtesy call from Undersecretary Earl P. Saavedra, Executive Director V of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) of the Philippines, at the ASEAN Headquarters. They discussed preparations in the lead up to the Philippines’ chairmanship of the 45th ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on Drug Matters (ASOD) and Its Related Meetings that will take place in the Philippines in October 2024. Both sides underscored the importance of close coordination between the DDB and the ASEAN Secretariat. Dato’ Astanah also reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s readiness to assist the Philippines in achieving its goals as ASOD Chair.
