Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered an Opening Remarks commemorating 25th Anniversary of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) through the IAI Silver Showcase: Celebrating 25 Years of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration, held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The event brought together representatives from the ASEAN Member States (AMS), Timor-Leste, ASEAN Partners, international and philanthropic organisations, as well as IAI National Coordinators and Focal Points to reflect on IAI’s achievements and discuss its future directions.

H.E. Dr. Tôn Thị Ngọc Hương, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to ASEAN delivered introductory remarks in her capacity as the Chair of the IAI Task Force. The opening session also featured remarks from H.E. Ong Keng Yong, former Secretary-General of ASEAN, who shared his reflections through a special video message, H.E. Kiya Masahiko, Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, and Prof. Tetsuya Watanabe, President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch a curated photo exhibition, highlighting the IAI’s milestones, success stories, and impact over the past 25 years.

Download SG’s Dr. Kao remarks here.