Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A "Friends of ASEAN" reception was held at the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat here Wednesday following the East Asia Regional Launch of the World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development.

The reception, initiated by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan with the support of the World Bank, allowed Ambassadors to ASEAN to network and exchange ideas about the situation in the region, the ASEAN Secretariat said in a press statement, Thursday.

Dr Surin and Ambassador I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to ASEAN expressed their appreciation to all Ambassadors to ASEAN for the commitment and support they have shown to ASEAN.

Their presence and accreditations as Ambassadors of Dialogue Partners to ASEAN and Ambassadors of Non-Dialogue Partners to ASEAN are very important to relations between ASEAN and the respected countries which they represent.

Ambassador David Taylor, New Zealand Ambassador to ASEAN who responded on behalf of the Ambassadors to ASEAN commended ASEAN for its work in building the ASEAN Community by 2015 and encouraged ASEAN to keep up its good work. Earlier, the ASEAN Secretariat hosted the joint World Bank - ASEAN WDR 2011 launch.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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