Showcasing 58 Years of Unity in Diversity Through Southeast Asia’s Culture, Cuisine, and Philanthropy
Edited by Anna Popper
Every year on 8 August, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) commemorates its founding in 1967 – a milestone in regional cooperation that has fostered economic growth, social progress, cultural exchange, and stability across Southeast Asia.
Today, its ten member states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam – continue to advance this shared vision of unity and development, rooted in ASEAN’s founding principles of cooperation, solidarity, and mutual respect.
In Budapest, the ASEAN resident embassies of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam – led by their respective ambassadors – came together on 2 August 2025 to celebrate the 58th Anniversary with a colourful ASEAN Charity Bazaar, which was hosted by the Malaysian Embassy, as Malaysia holds the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 under the theme “Towards Inclusive and Sustainable ASEAN Future”.
The event gathered ambassadors, diplomats, government officials, members of the ASEAN community in Hungary with their families, as well as international attendees. The ambassadors present included H.E. Mrs. Penny D. Herasati – Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Khamphone Vongsanty – Ambassador of Lao PDR, H.E. Mrs. Maria Elena P. Algabre – Ambassador of the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Phrommes Bhaholpolbhayuhasena – Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Bui Le Thai – Ambassador of S.R of Viet Nam, and Ms. Vanitha Gopalakrishnan – Chargé d’ Affaires at the Embassy of Malaysia. The Guest of Honour was H.E. István Jakab – Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, whose presence underscored the close relations and mutual respect between Hungary and ASEAN.
The celebration opened with the official anthem of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): The ASEAN Way, symbolizing the spirit of unity since its adoption in 2008. With lyrics by Payom Valaiphatchra and music composed by Kittikhun Sodprasert and Sampow Tri-udom, the anthem conveys the shared aspirations and enduring friendship of ASEAN nations, encapsulating their motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”
It was followed by the welcoming remarks by Ms. Vanitha Gopalakrishnan, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of Malaysia in Hungary:
“On behalf of the Embassy of Malaysia in Budapest, it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this year’s ASEAN Day celebration, hosted here at our Embassy, as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
We are especially honoured by the presence of our esteemed Guest of Honour, His Excellency Mr. István Jakab, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary. Your presence today reflects the enduring friendship and the growing partnership between ASEAN and Hungary.
The annual ASEAN Day celebration in Budapest demonstrates the commitment of ASEAN embassies to strengthen ASEAN’s visibility and presence in Hungary.
This year, we are pleased to mark the occasion with a special initiative: the ASEAN Charity Bazaar. Through this event, we aim to showcase the rich diversity of our region with a vibrant blend of culture, cuisine, and community. Each of the resident ASEAN embassies in Budapest – Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam – has prepared unique cultural flavours and performances to share with you today. The proceeds from this charity bazaar will be donated to the Diplomatic Charity Fair, which is scheduled to take place in November 2025, in Budapest.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all ASEAN embassies in Budapest, particularly my colleagues, for their tireless efforts in organising today’s celebration. I am also grateful to all of you for joining us on this meaningful occasion. A special word of thanks goes to Mr. Metasit Saylen from Thailand, whose creativity and dedication are evident in the vibrant photo booth, posters, and backdrop designed for today’s event.”
The program continued by the keynote address by H.E. Maria Elena P. Algabre, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, on behalf of the ASEAN countries represented in Hungary:
“His Excellency Mr. István Jakab, Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, my fellow Ambassadors and Heads of Missions of the ASEAN embassies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the representatives of the ASEAN member states and the ASEAN community in Hungary, it is my honour to address you today as we mark the 58th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, more fondly known as ASEAN.
On 8 August 1967, five nations came together in Bangkok to lay the foundations of what would become one of the world’s most successful regional organisations – dedicated to peace, stability, prosperity, and the well-being of over 677 million people.
Over the past five decades, ASEAN has grown in strength and relevance, becoming a channel for dialogue and practical cooperation among its ten Member States, as well as with its ASEAN external partners. It has weathered many challenges, evolving into a key driver of regional integration, economic growth, and diplomatic engagement.
We are proud to be represented in Hungary by six resident ASEAN missions – Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. We intend to deepen and further advance ASEAN-Hungary relations and promote the ASEAN Community and its 2045 Vision.
We all appreciate Hungary’s flourishing bilateral relations with each ASEAN member state under its Eastern Opening Policy, a policy that embodies the strategic goal of expanding Hungary’s relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific, including those in ASEAN.
Bilateral relations span trade, agriculture, technology and innovation, education, and cultural exchange. We thank Hungary for opening its doors to students from ASEAN member states through its Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme, benefitting hundreds of talented scholars.
I am also pleased to note the upward trajectory of Hungary’s economic links with ASEAN countries. Hungarian companies – particularly in water management, IT, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors – are finding increasing opportunities in Southeast Asia.
The renewal of the ASEAN-Hungary Cooperation Agreement is a testament to the rock-solid collaboration between Hungary and ASEAN in the field of education.
We are excited to forge closer ties with Hungary with its impending accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), signalling our mutually shared values of peace, security, stability, and dialogue, and paving the way for closer cooperation. The TAC will commemorate its 50th Anniversary in 2026.
To complement our respective bilateral inter-parliamentary engagements, including through friendship groups, further cooperation could be achieved through the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). We invite Hungary to consider enhancing its relationship with ASEAN through AIPA as an Observer Parliament.
As we navigate a rapidly changing global landscape, ASEAN remains committed to being the locomotive for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. ASEAN shall respond effectively to challenges and complex geopolitical and socio-economic environments in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. We envisage ASEAN within an interconnected global community of nations with deeper connectivity and cohesiveness.
We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the Mission of Malaysia for its commendable leadership as Chair of ASEAN, competently led by its amiable Chargé d’Affaires in Hungary, and for graciously hosting this special event on its premises.
In this spirit, I am pleased to share that the Philippines is honoured to assume the ASEAN Chairship in 2026. While discussions on our Chairship priorities are still ongoing, in consideration of the successful current Chairship of Malaysia, they may possibly centre on three key cross-cutting issues: peace and security, maritime cooperation, and climate change.
We look forward to the support and collaboration of all our partners within and beyond our region. We look forward to Hungary’s engagement and constructive role.
As we commemorate ASEAN Day today, let us renew our shared commitment to the founding principles of ASEAN: cooperation, solidarity, and mutual respect. Let us move forward together with the same spirit of friendship and purpose that inspired our founders 58 years ago – along with the “ASEAN Way”, the official Anthem of ASEAN, a fundamental spirit of mutual understanding, friendship, purpose, and vision. Thank you, Maraming salamat, köszönöm szépen, and Happy ASEAN Day to all of you!”
Remarks by the Guest of Honour
On behalf of the Hungarian National Assembly, H.E. István Jakab, Deputy Speaker, extended his congratulations to ASEAN for its achievements in promoting peace, stability, and development across Southeast Asia. He highlighted ASEAN’s expansion from its five founding members to ten, with East Timor expected to join later this year, and emphasized the organisation’s growing global influence, projecting it to become the world’s fourth-largest economic bloc by 2030 – supported by a young population, a growing middle class, and strengthened crisis management mechanisms.
The Guest of Honour noted Hungary’s commitment to maintaining close relations with Southeast Asia based on openness and mutual respect. In recent years, Hungary has strengthened its institutional presence in the region with embassies in seven ASEAN countries and a consulate general in Viet Nam. He also underlined the importance of deepening parliamentary relations through reciprocal visits and Friendship Groups, noting his personal visits to eight of the ten ASEAN member states.
Economic cooperation was highlighted as a cornerstone of Hungary’s engagement with ASEAN. Joint economic committees have been established with Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines to boost bilateral trade and investment. Trade turnover between Hungary and ASEAN countries has increased by nearly 80% over the past decade, reaching USD 4 billion. Hungary also welcomed ASEAN’s support for its accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Education remains another key area of collaboration. All ten ASEAN countries participate in the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme, which promotes international cooperation, diversity, and competitiveness. Thousands of students from the region apply each year to study in Hungary, with the expectation that they will return home to contribute to their countries’ development while strengthening mutual ties.
Concluding his remarks, Deputy Speaker István Jakab wished the ASEAN member states continued success in advancing social and economic development, maintaining peace and stability, and building a prosperous future for their peoples.
The ASEAN Charity Bazaar
The ASEAN Charity Bazaar brought the celebration to life, with national booths set up in the green courtyard of the Embassy of Malaysia, offering visitors a wide array of traditional foods, handicrafts, and cultural products from each participating country.
On stage, performances showcased Southeast Asia’s artistic diversity, while lively music, exotic dances and interesting social games invited both children and adults to partake, filling the atmosphere with joy, colour and togetherness.
All proceeds from the bazaar will benefit the 14th Diplomatic Charity Fair, organised by the Diplomatic Spouses of Budapest (DSB), to be held in November 2025. By combining festivity with philanthropy, the ASEAN Bazaar not only highlighted the richness and uniqueness of each member nation, but also reflected ASEAN’s enduring spirit of solidarity, goodwill, and its growing friendship with Hungary.
Sources: Embassy of Malaysia in Budapest, Embassy of the Philippines in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of Malaysia, Embassy of Thailand, Embassy of the Philippines, Embassy of Indonesia, Embassy of Viet Nam, Embassy of Laos, and Diplomatic Press Agency
