Pakistan and ASEAN member countries celebrated the 58th ASEAN Day in Islamabad with a vibrant display of cultural performances and a reaffirmation of their commitment to stronger regional cooperation. The event, organized in partnership with Niftysphere Institute of Arts and Design, featured captivating music, traditional dance, and art presentations by both Pakistani and ASEAN artists, reflecting the rich cultural traditions and shared values between the nations.
The celebration was attended by ASEAN Heads of Mission, led by Mr. Wunna Han, Ambassador of Myanmar and Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, served as the chief guest. During his address, Minister Khichi congratulated ASEAN member states and praised the organization as a remarkable example of regional transformation and inspiration for developing countries. He highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing engagement with ASEAN as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner since 1993 and expressed a strong commitment to further deepening this partnership.
Minister Khichi acknowledged ASEAN’s major achievements, specifically noting the successful realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and Pakistan’s steadfast support for Vision 2045. He emphasized the need to revitalize the ASEAN Regional Forum to tackle emerging issues such as cybersecurity, food security, climate change, and the ethical governance of artificial intelligence.
The minister also drew attention to the ASEAN–Pakistan Cooperation Fund, created in 1999, as a platform for practical cooperation. He reported that nearly a third of the initiatives under the 2024–2028 Cooperation Plan have already been implemented. Highlighting a record $10 billion in bilateral trade between Pakistan and ASEAN in 2022, he called for efforts to address trade imbalances and boost investment. He offered Pakistan’s strengths in areas such as digital innovation, agriculture, climate resilience, public health, poverty reduction, and gender equality as potential avenues for expanded collaboration, and commended the Pakistani diaspora in ASEAN countries for their role in fostering closer people-to-people ties.
Ambassador Wunna Han noted ASEAN’s founding in Bangkok in 1967, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on the grouping’s collective achievements and honoring the vision of its founding leaders. He underlined Pakistan’s status as ASEAN’s first and longest-serving Sectoral Dialogue Partner, and expressed hope for further progress in bilateral cooperation. The ambassador encouraged Pakistan’s ongoing support for ASEAN’s Vision 2045 and strategic plans.
On the cultural side, Mr. Usman Shah, CEO of Niftysphere, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to promoting Pakistan’s diverse cultural heritage and youth talent internationally through creative platforms, strengthening bonds with the ASEAN community.
