19 August 2013 - Philippine Ambassador Leslie B. Gatan joined his counterparts from ASEAN resident missions in celebrating the 46th ASEAN Day at the Ottawa City Hall on 13 August 2013.

Hosted by the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa (ACO), an official reception was held to mark the occasion with Foreign Minister John Baird as guest of honor.

H.E. Hau Do Suan, Ambassador of Myanmar, welcomed guests to the reception in his capacity as ACO Chair. In his remarks, the Ambassador noted that ASEAN has evolved into one of the world's most successful regional organizations with a population of 610 million and a combined GDP of over US$ 2.3 trillion. ASEAN's strategic partnership with Canada, he said, continues to grow at the political and economic levels. On the economic front, ASEAN FDI in Canada has grown four-fold in the five-year period ending 2011 while Canada's investment in ASEAN has surpassed its combined investment in China and India.

For his part, Minister Baird told the audience that Canada has been supporting a wide range of connectivity initiatives within ASEAN while strengthening partnerships in a variety of areas, not just in trade and commerce, but also on security and resiliency in the face of natural disasters. "I've seen the benefits that ASEAN delivers. It is a real force for good," he stated. Accompanying the Foreign Minister were his colleagues from the Parliament of Canada, among them MPs Gary Schellenberger, Bob Dechert, and Deepak Obhrai.

The occasion presented an opportunity for Ambassador Gatan to confer with Foreign Minister Baird on high-level visits between the Philippines and Canada as well as to promote Philippine trade and tourism. "Around the globe, ASEAN unity thrives on the principles of regional solidarity and cooperation. In Ottawa, we are fortunate to have Canadian friends such as Foreign Minister Baird who recognize ASEAN's growing importance and actively promote the 36-year old dialogue between ASEAN and Canada," Ambassador Gatan observed. END