JAKARTA, Aug 9 (TNA) — Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai attended the inauguration ceremony of the new ASEAN secretariat complex in Jakarta, saying the new facility will enhance the efficiency of ASEAN’s affairs.
Representing Thailand that is the ASEAN chair this year, Mr Don said 10 ASEAN member states noticeably succeeded in their cooperation and attached importance to people’s needs.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations marked its 52nd anniversary on Aug 8. Indonesian President Joko Widodo ceremonially handed the key of the new building complex to ASEAN secretary-general Lim Jock Hoi.
The Indonesian president said the new building project started seven years ago when he was the governor of Jakarta. He agreed with the then ASEAN secretary-general that a new facility would be useful to ASEAN diplomats’ work. The Indonesian government allocated a budget worth equivalent to 972 million baht for the construction. Its foundation stone was ceremonially laid in January 2017.
The new ASEAN secretariat complex has 49,993 square meters of usable space and stands on a 11,369-square-meter land plot next to the old secretariat. It consists of two modern-looking and environmentally friendly buildings with 16 floors each, also designed to withstand earthquakes. (TNA)
