ASEAN COMMITTEE IN RABAT (ACR) CHAMPIONS ASEAN-MOROCCO RELATIONS

28 February 2024 – The ASEAN Committee in Rabat (ACR) under the Chairmanship of Philippine Ambassador to Morocco H.E. Leslie J. Baja organized an ASEAN Forum at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane.

From L to R: Chargé d’affaires of the Indonesian Embassy Mr. Sutarwindargo, Thai Ambassador H.E. Mr. Fabio Chinda, AUI President Dr. Amine Bensaid, Philippine Ambassador H.E. Mr. Leslie J. Baja, and Chargé d’affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy Mr. Nguyen Than Le

Prior to the forum, AUI President Dr. Amine Bensaid welcomed the ACR delegation and had a brief meeting on various issues of mutual interest. The meeting was followed by a working lunch hosted by Dr. Bensaid for the ACR delegation with university officials, faculty members, and a number of undergraduate and graduate students from the School of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities (SHSS) in attendance.

SHSS Dean Dr. Asma Abbas delivering her opening remarks.

The ASEAN Forum was officially opened by Dr. Asma Abbas, Dean of the SHSS. In her remarks, she conveyed her appreciation to the ACR, particularly to the Chairperson, for his interest in education and for working hard in the past year to ensure that the forum will be realized. She also underscored the need for deeper analysis on Africa-Asia connection, and encouraged the participants to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about Southeast Asia.

Ambassador Baja delivering his opening remarks.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Baja recognized the kind support of the university to provide an opportunity for ASEAN diplomats to engage with its students and faculty members and create a lasting bridge between Morocco and their respective countries and region. He also underscored the status of ASEAN as one of the world’s dynamic regional rules-based organization, and how it has made strides in the areas of peace and security, and economic and social development since its establishment in 1967.

An interactive dialogue capped the forum where the ACR and university students candidly discussed pressing geopolitical issues in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as global issues namely climate change, sustainable development goals, and renewable energy cooperation. END