On 8 August 2020, ASEAN turns 53 with a virtual celebration, a first in its history. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to stay apart, but ASEAN’s spirit of unity and togetherness lives on.
This year, a special online programme has been prepared to honor ASEAN’s founders, and pay tribute to the frontliners and citizens who take risks every day to save the lives of others.
Watch for announcements on ASEAN’s social media platforms, or write in to public@asean.org, for links to the live event. More details will be released after 4 August.
Listen to inspiring messages from the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, Viet Nam Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Bình Minh, and ASEAN’s top diplomats around the world. Guests include Air Asia CEO Tony Fernandes and the ASEAN Prize winners.
Last year’s ASEAN Day celebration was also special as ASEAN marked its 52nd anniversary in the new ASEAN Secretariat building. President Joko Widodo officiated the inauguration of the new building that was constructed right next to the original structure, now called the Heritage building.
The new ASEAN Secretariat is now housed in two 16-floor towers and features a green concept, with only natural ventilation in the lobby. It is equipped with more than 20 meeting rooms of various sizes, and each ASEAN Member State has its own country room.
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi said the new building, in the long-term, will provide a sound foundation to deepen ASEAN’s community building efforts by creating more opportunities for meetings and interaction.
Until the time comes for physical gatherings, join the ASEAN Day online celebration this year.
Be one with the community. Be one with ASEAN.
