ASEAN COMMITTEE IN NAIROBI CELEBRATES 57TH ASEAN DAY

From left to right: High Commissioner Ruzaimi bin Mohamad of Malaysia, Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang of the Philippines, Director General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs Eliphas Barine of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya, Ambassador Morakot Janemathukorn of Thailand (current ACN Chair), and Ambassador Mohamad Hery Saripudin of Indonesia do the “ASEAN Handshake”.

NAIROBI, 07 August 2024 – The ASEAN Committee in Nairobi (ACN) celebrated the 57th founding anniversary of ASEAN at the Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi, highlighting the enduring spirit of regional cooperation and unity among the ASEAN member states.

Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Marie Charlotte G. Tang joined her counterparts from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand in welcoming guests from the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA), the diplomatic corps, ASEAN diaspora in Kenya, business, universities, and the media.

The celebration began with the playing of the ASEAN anthem, “The ASEAN Way”, followed by the Kenyan national anthem.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Morakot Janemathukorn, Ambassador of Thailand to Kenya and current ACN Chair, highlighted that under Lao PDR’s chairship and theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, ASEAN continues to strengthen its community, including by tackling transformative issues such as digitalization and climate change, and charting its future, with ASEAN’s brightest minds deliberating on the ASEAN Vision 2045.

The ACN Chair also emphasized that the ACN will continuously promote ASEAN’s interest and identity in Kenya through awareness-raising activities, such as the increasingly popular ASEAN Festivals whereby ACN members showcase Southeast Asian culture through culinary experiences and handicrafts and enhancing cooperation with Kenya.

On behalf of the Kenyan MFDA, Director General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs Eliphas Barine highlighted the positive attributes of regional integration in enhancing multilateralism, peace and security, and unlocking the potential for regions to learn from and share experiences with each other. He also said that Kenya looks forward to strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries in concrete and sustainable innovative ways.

Guests were treated to traditional music, and a display of culinary delights including puto, chicken shanghai, beef rendang, bakso, teh tarik, ma hor, and kanom pang na gai from the region, reflecting the vibrant cultures of the ASEAN community. END

Daystar University students and personnel with the ACN Ambassadors

The ASEAN Family in Nairobi, Kenya with guests

Guests enjoying different Southeast Asian cuisines

PHILIPPINES, COMOROS SIGN AGREEMENT TO BOOST BILATERAL TIES

PH Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang and Comorian Interior Minister Fakridine Mahamoud sign the MOU on behalf of their respective governments.

NAIROBI, 20 June 2024 – The first-ever cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Comoros was signed by Philippine Ambassador to Comoros Marie Charlotte G. Tang, with residence in Nairobi, and Comorian Minister of Interior, Information, Decentralization and Territory Administration Fakridine Mahamoud on 19 June 2024 in Moroni, the capital of Comoros.

Under the General Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Union of the Comoros, the two countries will cooperate in various areas, including on health, education, culture, environment, vocational and technical training, and tourism.

In her remarks following the signing, Ambassador Tang described the MOU as a milestone in Philippines-Comoros relations as it will open the doors for further cooperation between the two sides.

Noting that the Philippines and Comoros face similar sustainable development challenges and goals as archipelagic states, she also said that the MOU provides a platform for both countries to collaborate more closely in areas such as climate change, disaster risk reduction and management, and maritime governance.

Interior Minister Mahamoud, who signed the MOU as acting Foreign Minister, expressed the Comoros’ readiness to advance its relationship with the Philippines, stating that the MOU marks the start of further cooperation between the two countries.

He added that Comoros stands to gain significant insights from the Philippines, particularly in the maritime domain and on disaster risk reduction and management.

Comoros, a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has made significant progress in recent years to enhance its economic and social development.

Known as the “Perfume Islands” for its lush landscapes and fragrant crops like ylang-ylang and vanilla, Comoros is gaining recognition for its cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Like the Philippines, Comoros is making strides in conservation efforts to protect its rich marine biodiversity and unique ecosystems for future generations. END

Ambassador Tang and Comorian Interior Minister Fakridine Mahamoud pose for a photo after signing the MOU.

Ambassador Tang and Interior Minister Mahamoud deliver their remarks after the signing ceremony.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Ambassador Tang met with Interior Minister Mahamoud and the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to discuss areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Comoros.

Ambassador Tang conveyed to Director-General for Political and Legal Affairs Faiçoil Mohamed Djitihadi the Philippines' appreciation for Comoros' partnership in the multilateral front, including its support for Philippine candidatures.

PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI EXTENDS CONSULAR SERVICES, OVERSEAS VOTING REGISTRATION TO FILIPINOS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA

The Philippine Embassy Team rendered consular services and overseas voters registration.

NAIROBI, 20 June 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi conducted a consular outreach mission in Kampala on 15 June 2024.

The mission was done in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate in Kampala and the Filipino Community in Uganda.

The two-member Embassy team, composed of Attachés Ma. Cecilia S. Cabutotan and Marco Antonio Angelo S. Santos, provided passport, civil registry, and other consular services to Filipinos in Uganda and registered overseas voters for the 2025 Philippine elections.

Filipinos were also encouraged to register in the Embassy’s online mapping of overseas Filipinos.

Uganda is host to 250 overseas Filipinos, who are mostly professionals and skilled workers. END