The Philippine Embassy in Hungary, together with the embassies of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, held a ceremony in Budapest on Saturday to mark the 59th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Philippine Ambassador to Hungary Maria Elena P. Algabre, representing the Philippines as ASEAN Chair in 2026, said ASEAN has continued to strengthen its central role in the regional architecture while promoting peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.
ASEAN also remains a trusted partner of the international community despite continued volatility in the regional and global environment, Algabre said.
With unity and consensus, ASEAN will continue to drive regional cooperation and contribute to peace, stability and shared prosperity, she added.
The anniversary event also highlighted the bloc’s cultural diversity, with ASEAN embassies jointly presenting a series of artistic performances showcasing traditions and cultural identities from member states.
