ASEAN COMMITTEE IN NAIROBI COMMEMORATES 56TH ASEAN DAY
From left to right: Ambassador Mohamad Hery Saripudin of Indonesia, High Commissioner Ruzaimi bin Mohamad of Malaysia, Ambassador Josphat Maikara of the Foreign Service Administration of the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA), President Erick Rutto of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang of the Philppines (also Chair of ASEAN Nairobi Committee for 2023), and Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Torsak Janpian of Thailand do the “ASEAN Handshake”.
NAIROBI, 08 August 2023 – The ASEAN Committee in Nairobi (ACN) held a special flag raising ceremony to commemorate the 56th founding anniversary of ASEAN today at the Philippine Embassy grounds in Nairobi. The ACN consists of the four ASEAN Member States (out of ten) with resident embassies in Nairobi namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand.
In her remarks, ACN Chair and Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang cited ASEAN’s contribution to promoting peace and stability in Southeast Asia, which has paved the way for the region to become one the most dynamic and fastest-growing in the world today. She added that with ASEAN’s theme for 2023, “ASEAN Matters” Epicentrum of Growth”, ASEAN will continue to establish the region as an epicenter of sustainable economic growth.
Ambassador Tang also mentioned the initiatives of the ACN to raise ASEAN’s visibility in Kenya. These include the annual ASEAN Festival, outreach to the youth and the business community including the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), and book donation to the University of Nairobi (UoN) Library. She conveyed the hope for increased engagements between ASEAN and Kenya, and between ASEAN and the East African Community (EAC) in the years to come.
Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua of the Kenyan Ministry for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA), in his remarks read by Ambassador Josphat Maikara, Secretary of the MFDA’s Foreign Service Administration, lauded the strong cooperation between Kenya and ASEAN Member States, bilaterally and multilaterally. He noted that there are immense opportunities for further cooperation, with ASEAN being part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Kenya being part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Erick Rutto, President of the KNCCI, expressed appreciation for the active business-to-business and government-to-business engagements between Kenya and ASEAN. He invited ASEAN to further explore opportunities in Kenya in areas of tourism, healthcare, mining, and the digital economy, via South-South cooperation.
The ASEAN Day ceremony was attended by Kenyan government officials and business representatives, personnel of ACN diplomatic missions, ASEAN diaspora in Nairobi, students, and members of the media. Executive Director Maimunah Moud Sharif of UN-Habitat, a Malaysian national, also graced the event.
Guests were able to experience the diverse culinary traditions of Southeast Asian countries as they partook of delicacies including Indonesia’s bakso (meatballs), Malaysia’s bubur chacha (dessert with pearled sago, sweet potatoes, yams, bananas, and coconut milk), the Philippines’ beef tapa (dried cured beef), and Thailand’s gang kiew wan gai (green curry chicken).
To highlight the improved connectivity between Kenya and ASEAN, Kenya Airways raffled off air tickets between Nairobi and Bangkok. END
The ASEAN Day ceremony started with the singing of the ASEAN Anthem.
From left to right: Madame Suzila Toha of Malaysia, Madame Zulfah Nahdliyati Saripudin of Indonesia, Executive Director Maimunah Moud Sharif of the UN-Habitat, Ambassador Saripudin of Indonesia, High Commissioner Mohamad of Malaysia, Ambassador Maikara of the Kenyan MFDA, Dr. Rutto of KNCCI, Ambassador Tang of the Philippines, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Janpian of Thailand, and Mr. Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer of Kenya Airways.
Ambassador Tang, in her remarks on behalf of the ASEAN Nairobi Committee (ACN), highlighted ASEAN’s economic dynamism and its contribution to the shaping of a rules-based regional architecture.
Ambassador Tang (left) and Mr. Thairu of Kenya Airways (right), award a ceremonial roundtrip airline ticket to raffle winner Mr. Fervie Brubio (center). Kenya Airways will resume its direct flights between Nairobi, Kenya and Bangkok, Thailand in November 2023.
The ASEAN Family in Nairobi, Kenya
AMBASSADOR TANG CALLS ON NEW KNCCI PRESIDENT TO BOOST PHILIPPINES-KENYA BUSINESS COOPERATION
PH Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang (left) with Dr. Erick Rutto, the new President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
NAIROBI, 27 July 2023 – Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang paid a courtesy call on Dr. Erick Rutto, the new President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), on 27 July 2023 at the KNCCI Office in Nairobi.
Ambassador Tang expressed her hope for the KNCCI to become a partner in strengthening the economic relations between the Philippines and Kenya, as both countries emerge from the pandemic. She cited the new legislations and policy reforms undertaken by the Philippine Government to improve the country’s business and investment climate, and encouraged Kenyan companies to explore business opportunities in the Philippines.
Dr. Rutto conveyed his similar interest to improve the business-to-business relationship between Kenya and the Philippines and identified possible areas of collaboration.
The KNCCI was established in 1965 as a membership-based trade support institution to advance the commercial interests of the Kenyan business community, including through linkages with foreign embassies.
Dr. Rutto, an entrepreneur and founder of Reale Group of Hospitals in Kenya, was elected as KNCCI’s new president in June 2023. He previously served as the KNCCI’s vice president. END
PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI CONDUCTS CONSULAR MISSION AND OVERSEAS VOTER REGISTRATION IN SEYCHELLES
NAIROBI, 05 July 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi successfully conducted a consular outreach mission in Victoria, Seychelles on 02 July 2023.
The Embassy’s team, composed of Attachés Jose D. Aguilera, Jr. and Fervie Jay V. Brubio, provided passport, civil registry, and other consular services to Filipinos in Seychelles, and facilitated the registration of overseas voters for the 2025 Philippine elections.
The outreach mission was effectively carried out in close cooperation with the Philippine Consulate in Victoria, Seychelles led by Ms. Rosita Parcou, Consul, a. h.
Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is host to around 400 Overseas Filipinos, who mostly work in the tuna processing and hospitality sectors.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Seychelles were established in 1987. END
Applicants wait for their turn to have their photos and biometrics taken for their passport renewal and voter’s registration.
PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI HOSTS DIPLOMATIC RECEPTION IN COMMEMORATION OF 125TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
PH Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Florence Bore toast to the good health of the two countries 'Presidents and peoples, as well as the Philippines’ and Kenya's friendship, well-being, and prosperity.
NAIROBI, 26 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi hosted a reception on 19 June 2023 at the Tribe Hotel in Nairobi to mark the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
The event was attended by Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Florence Bore and over 150 guests from the diplomatic corps, Kenyan government ministries, business, media, academe, and the Filipino community.
In her address, Philippine Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang emphasized that the shared commitment to defend freedoms and preserve democratic values and institutions has served as a unifying force between the Philippines and Kenya throughout their 56-year diplomatic relations.
Ambassador Tang also cited recent developments that have contributed to the strengthening of Philippines-Kenya bilateral relations, notably the convening of the inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) and the signing of an agreement on cultural cooperation between the Philippines’ National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, both in February 2023.
Ambassador Tang also paid tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal on his 162nd birth anniversary, underscoring how his enduring heroism inspires Filipinos all over the world to love their motherland and to always strive for excellence.
As the guest of honor, Cabinet Secretary Bore extended her congratulations to the Philippines on the occasion of its Independence Day. She expressed Kenya's commitment to strengthen ties with the Philippines in areas of mutual interest, particularly in diaspora management and protection.
“Kenya can learn best practices from the Philippines on training of migrant workers, return and reintegration programmes and protection of migrant workers,” said Cabinet Secretary Bore.
A highlight of the reception was the world-class performance by The Nightingales, a Filipino soprano duo composed of Ms. Bernadette Mamauag and Ms. Katrina Marie Saga. The Nightingales captivated the guests with a repertoire that included a medley of classic OPM hits, Filipino folk melodies, and a Kenyan traditional song titled "Ning Wendete" (“I love you”).
Making their debut in Kenya, The Nightingales performed at the three Kalayaan 2023-related events of the Embassy, through the support of the NCCA.
Filipino food, including adobo, beef tapa, pansit, and turon were served during the reception. Cebu Best Calamansi-Caramel Chocolate Coins, courtesy of AEO International Food Corporation, were also given to the guests as souvenirs. END
PH Ambassador Tang warmly welcomes the guests and delivers her remarks
The Nightingales captivate the guests with their beautiful harmonies, as they perform a medley of Filipino folk melodies and a Kenyan traditional song, "Ning Wendete"
Guests at the PH national day reception included members of the diplomatic corps, Kenyan government ministries, business, media, academe, and the Filipino community (Photo from the Official Facebook Page of Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Secretary, Hon. Florence Bore)
The officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi
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