The event attracted the participation of scholars from research centres and universities, consular delegations serving in the locality and representatives of the Foreign Ministry and West Australian business community, in partnership with ASEAN-based enterprises.
It was part of activities to mark the 47th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 40th anniversary of the ASEAN-Australia dialogue partnership.
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Consul General, Le Viet Duyen reviewed the bloc’s course of development and its significant contributions to regional peace, security and development.
He also spoke of recent landmarks in ASEAN-Australia relations, with successes spanning economics, politics, culture and social affairs, especially since the two sides set up their comprehensive partnership in 2007 and signed the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement in 2009.
The Vietnamese official reminded local enterprises of opportunities to be offered by an ASEAN community that is to come into being by 2015, with a combined population of more than 600 million people and a combined GDP of over US$2.2 trillion.
Meanwhile, Prof. Mark Beeson from Murdoch University said that ASEAN has proved its own strong role regionally and globally over the past 47 years of development.
Participants agreed that the event provided important information for local enterprises, politicians, scholars, and people to understand more about the upcoming ASEAN Community.
