The Indonesia – Singapore Forum took place on 8 December 2017 at the Orchard Hotel and saw a gathering of more than 120 youths, up and coming politicians, academics, successful entrepreneurs, popular artists, and prominent activists to strengthen exchanges and bring bilateral relations to a higher levels.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs Singapore delivered the 15th ASEAN Lecture titled “ASEAN: NEXT 50” on the morning of 5 December 2017. In his first public lecture on the subject, he talked about how as the Chair of #ASEAN2018, Singapore will strengthen ASEAN’s resilience and innovative capacity, and deepen economic interdependence for win-win outcomes.
ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute is saddened to learn news of the passing of former ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan.
As ASEAN Secretary-General serving from 2008 to 2012, Dr Surin helmed the ASEAN Secretariat at a time of change. He started his term of office in the year when the ASEAN Charter was ratified; and reorganised the structure and duties of the ASEAN Secretariat to meet the Charter’s requirements. He also exercised his personal diplomacy in coordinating the humanitarian response to the survivors of devastating Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar which was still under military rule. It was the first instance of ASEAN establishing a presence and direct coordination on the ground in a member country in the wake of a disaster and has catalysed new ways of working in ASEAN. An active believer in, and supporter of, regional coordination and cooperation, Dr Surin’s contributions and charisma have left an irreplaceable imprint.