Canberra, 05 July 2010

Philippine Ambassador to Australia and Chairman of the ASEAN Canberra Committee (ACC) Ernesto H. De Leon formally turned over the ACC chairmanship to H.E. Mr. Albert Chua, High Commissioner of Singapore, during a simple ceremony held at the Philippine Embassy Residence today.

Ambassador De Leon highlighted the achievements of the Philippine Chairmanship which included giving feedback to the ASEAN Secretariat regarding the Draft Terms of Reference (TOR) and Rules of Procedure (ROP) for the ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organizations (ACTC), and a cordial meeting with the new Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Mr. Dennis Richardson last June 23, 2010. 

Ambassador De Leon thanked H.E. Mr. Primo Alui Joelianto, Ambassador of Indonesia, for speaking on behalf of the ACC at the national forum on “Mapping the Future of Australia in the Asian Century” organized by Asialink and the Asia Society Australasia Centre on 25 May 2010 at the Parliament House. 

He likewise extended his appreciation to High Commissioner Chua for the High Commission of Singapore’s successful organization of the ASEAN Bowling Tournament last February at the Belconnen Bowling Centre.

Aside from turning over the gavel in a symbolic handover of the chairmanship, Ambassador De Leon also drew his colleagues’ attention to the pending projects from the Philippine chairmanship for High Commissioner Chua to finalize as he sees fit. 

The ASEAN Canberra Committee is composed of the Heads of Mission (HOMs) of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 

The ACC Chairmanship is held for a 6-month period and is rotated among the ASEAN Heads of Mission in Canberra alphabetically by country. 

Philippine Ambassador to Australia and Chairman of the ASEAN Canberra Committee (ACC) Ernesto H. De Leon formally turns over the ACC chairmanship to H.E. Mr. Albert Chua, High Commissioner of Singapore during a simple ceremony held at the Philippine Embassy Residence today.

Ambassador De Leon (third from left) briefs his colleagues in the ASEAN Canberra Committee on the highlights of the Philippine Chairmanship from February to July 2010.