Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez Assumes Chairmanship of ASEAN Committee in Tokyo; Chairs First ACT Meeting for 2015
Ambassador Lopez chairs the ACT Meeting at the Official Residence (photo: Ms. Amalia Sibug)
TOKYO – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez chaired the year’s first meeting of the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT) at his Official Residence in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Ambassador Lopez assumed the rotating Chairmanship of the ACT last 01 January 2015, taking over from Indonesia. It is his second stint as ASEAN Chair in Tokyo, having first assumed the post in 2011, shortly after his arrival in Japan. At least three meetings will be convened under the six-month chairmanship of the Republic of the Philippines.
Ambassador Lopez engaged fellow ASEAN Ambassadors in an exchange of views on regional issues and in mapping out ASEAN’s calendar of activities for 2015. Ambassador Lopez also led the group in welcoming new Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Ahmad Izlan Idris, and new Thai Ambassador Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who were attending their first ACT Meeting.
The ACT brings together the Embassies of ASEAN Member States in Japan. Apart from serving as a forum for discussion and coordination, the ACT promotes ASEAN interests and identity in Japan, pursuant to Article 43 of the ASEAN Charter. END
ASEAN Ambassadors conferring prior to heading to the formal session (photo: Ms. Amalia Sibug)
