Bali, July 13 (AseanAll) — Indonesia is hosting the 45th Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting in Bali on July 8-13,2024.
The meeting gathers over 50 Governors representing ASEF member countries from Asia and Europe to review ASEF's strategies, programs, budget, and management as the sole institution under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
As part of this event, meetings include the Nominating Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, Executive Committee, and the culminating event, the Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting. The event will conclude with a Conservation Retreat, showcasing Indonesia's natural resources capital and conservation successes.
As the host, Indonesia demonstrates its leadership in strengthening dialogue and cooperation among regions amidst uncertain geopolitical situations. In the previous year, the 44th ASEF BOG Meeting was held in Barcelona, Spain, in July 2023.
The meetings, led by ASEF Executive Director, Ambassador Toru Morikawa (from Japan), successfully agreed on strategic steps for ASEF's future growth in terms of work programs, human resource management, financial management, and legal framework. Bangladesh's Governor, H.E. Rais Hasan Sarower, chaired the 45th BOG Meeting, while Indonesia was represented by Ambassador Soemadi Brotodiningrat, who also chaired the FAC Meeting.
A significant outcome of this meeting is the thematic work program plan for 2025 inviting participation from relevant stakeholders in Asia and Europe to strengthen dialogue, cooperation, and partnerships between the two regions.
The 45th ASEF BOG Meeting also marks the election of a new ASEF Executive Director, following the conclusion of Ambassador Toru Morikawa's tenure in late August 2024. Mrs. Beata Stoczynska from Poland has been elected as the new ASEF Executive Director, with Mr. Zhang Lei from China appointed as Deputy Executive Director. Both officials will assume their roles in September 2024.
"We express our appreciation to Indonesia for organizing the 45th ASEF BOG Meeting," stated Executive Director Morikawa in his opening remarks.
Indonesia welcomed delegates with hospitality through a Welcoming Reception hosted by the Director General of America and Europe, Ambassador Umar Hadi, and a Gala Dinner hosted by the Governor of Indonesia for ASEF, Ambassador Soemadi Brotodiningrat.
"In the midst of the current geopolitical situation, dialogue, solidarity, and cooperation between Asia and Europe are crucial. ASEF is expected to continue contributing to strengthening these aspects," said the Director General.
In alignment with Director General sentiments, the Governor of Indonesia for ASEF also conveyed, "The good impact of Asia and Europe partnership needs to be sustained".
As part of the ASEF BOG Meeting tradition, the final day featured a conservation retreat, including the release of turtle hatchlings at The Laguna Resort and Spa beach and the distribution of mangrove saplings at Taman Hutan Rakyat Ngurah Rai. Apart from introducing Bali's tourism, this retreat aimed to showcase Indonesia's progress in environmental conservation and sustainable development. The retreat was supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia, Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Unda Anyar Watershed Management Agency, and Mangrove Rangers.
ASEF, an organization under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), comprises of 30 European countries, 21 Asian countries (including Indonesia), the European Union, and the ASEAN Secretariat. Each year, ASEF initiates various innovative activities to strengthen partnerships between Asia and Europe across various sectors.
ASEF's management is conducted by the ASEF Executive Office headquartered in Singapore. In Indonesia, Indonesia's membership in ASEF is managed by the Directorate of Inter and Intra-Regional Cooperation of American and European Affairs (KSIA Amerop), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
