Seoul, 13 February 2025 - The ASEAN-Korea Center convened its 17th Annual Meeting of the Council of the ASEAN-Korea Center on 13 February 2025 at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul. The Council, consisting of high-ranking government officials from the 10 ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), assessed the outcomes of FY2024 programs and approved the proposed programs and budget for FY2025.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, represented the Philippines at the meeting in her capacity as the Council Director. She was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario. 

During the meeting, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega conveyed the Philippines support for AKC projects focused on sustainable innovation on the ESG agenda, its new promotional space for interactive cultural and tourism promotions in Seoul, increased public diplomacy outreach to journalists, human resources management trainings, and more in-depth discussion on ASEAN-ROK relations during the annual Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. “The Philippines is also prepared to augment the AKC’s cultural collection,” the Ambassador said, while congratulating the AKC Cultural Unit for its dedicated work in promoting ASEAN culture and tourism in the Republic of Korea. 

Central to the goal of the ASEAN-Korea Centre is to promote and strengthen ASEAN-Korea relations, enhance public understanding of ASEAN and the ROK, and uphold AKC's role as a leading international organization dedicated to promoting ASEAN-Korea cooperation across all sectors--including trade and investment, cultural and tourism, and information and data. 

The ASEAN-Korea Center (AKC) also reviewed the significant activities commemorating diplomatic milestones in 2024, including the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Relations and the establishment of the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). These included the International Conference on ASEAN-Korea Partnership 2024, the Unveiling Ceremony of Jeju Olle Trail 8 Route: ASEAN-Korea Olle, the Launching Seminar of the Korean ESG Guidebook, and the ASEAN-Korea Youth Summit. 

Members of the Council likewise anticipated the way forward of ASEAN, including the release of the ASEAN Vision 2045. The Council Directors also conveyed their support for AKC’s plans to initiate more projects focusing on building more ASEAN Promotional Spaces in Seoul and expanding its engagement with diverse audiences -- including opinion leaders, journalists, and future generations -- while advancing sustainability efforts including ESG. 

A dinner reception followed the meeting, with congratulatory remarks delivered by H.E. Kang Insun, Second Vice Foreign Minister of Korea who reaffirmed The ROK government’s support for furthering ASEAN-ROK relations and the ASEAN-Korea Centre. END