ASEAN Centre in MGIMO-University the MFA of Russia

Центр АСЕАН при МГИМО

ASEAN Ambassadors in MGIMO

ASEAN Ambassadors in MGIMO

27.02.2018

February 27th, MGIMO University hosted the 15th Meeting of the Executive Board of the ASEAN Centre, followed by a lecture on Singapore’s Chairmanship in ASEAN in 2018 by H.E. Lim Kheng Hua, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Russian Federation. In addition, the Centre conducted the award ceremony for the Essay Writing Competition “ASEAN at 50: Achievements, Challenges and New Opportunities for Cooperation with Russia”.

Six Ambassadors represented the ASEAN side at the events: H.E. Ko Ko Shein, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to Russian Federation and Current Co-chair of the Board, H.E. Siviengphet Phetvorasack, Ambassador of the Lao PDR to the Russian Federation, H.E. Lim Kheng Hua, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Russian Federation, H.E. Carlos D. Sorreta, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Russian Federation, H.E. Datuk Mat Dris Haji Yaacob, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Russian Federation, H.E. Haji Haini bin Haji Hashim, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Russian Federation.

The Russian hosts and attendees were MGIMO Rector Prof. Anatoly Torkunov, Head of the ASEAN Division of the Asian and Pacific Cooperation Department, MFA of Russia Mr. Andrei Dmitrichenko, Co-Chair of the Board and MGIMO Vice-Rector for General Affairs and Corporate Relations Prof. Artem Malgin, Professor of the Oriental Studies Department Dr. Nikolay Maletin, Director of the ASEAN Centre Dr. Victor Sumsky, Senior Expert of the ASEAN Centre Dr. Ekaterina Koldunova, Deputy Director of the ASEAN Centre Ekaterina Tronevskaya, Senior Expert of the ASEAN Centre Dr. Ilya Dyachkov, Analyst of the ASEAN Centre Valeria Vershinina, Professor of the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia Dr. Yuri Dubinin, professor at the Asian and African Studies Department Dr. Larissa Efimova, Lecturer at the Asian and African Studies Department Mr. Vladimir Nelidov, and students from the Southeast Asian Studies Club.

Rector Torkunov opened the 15th Meeting of the ASEAN Centre Executive Board. He briefly described past year’s projects and thanked the Ambassadors for their support of the ASEAN Centre’s activities.

Dr. Victor Sumsky introduced drafts of the 2017 annual report on the operation of the ASEAN Centre in MGIMO and indicative work programme for 2018. The sides discussed the inaugural meeting for the Network of ASEAN-Russia Think Tanks (NARTT) to be held at MGIMO University in April and prospects of hosting the 3rd ASEAN-Russia University Forum.

H.E. Lim Kheng Hua, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Russian Federation delivered a lecture titled “Singapore’s Chairmanship in ASEAN in 2018.” H.E. Lim Kheng Hua described the main trends of the Association’s development, the structure and prospects of future expansion for its external relations, and touched upon the future of Russia-ASEAN partnership. The lecture concluded with a discussion on the political situation in Southeast Asia and mutual value of Russia and ASEAN in the changing world.

On the same day the Centre conducted the award ceremony concluding the Essay Writing Competition “ASEAN at 50: Achievements, Challenges and New Opportunities for Cooperation with Russia.” The Russian winners are Ekaterina Kuznetsova, Nina Prakapovich and Nikolai Shiryaev, and the winners from the ASEAN side are Janine Baral (Philippines), Norhani L. Lucman (Philippines), Ilham Arfakhsandz Putera (Indonesia). The authors of three best essays from Russia will be awarded trips to Jakarta and the authors of three best essays from ASEAN member states will visit Moscow in 2018.

In addition, the jury awarded authors of other interesting essays, namely Daria Borisova (Russia), Elena Kiseleva (Russia), Nikita Kuklin (Russia), Visenescu Ramona (Romania), A Zun Mo (Myanmar), Alexander G. Cidro (Philippines), Inigo A. Gonzalez (Philippines). They will receive commemorative gifts.

ASEAN Centre