The year 2012 has been an important juncture in the history of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), not only because ASEF reached its 15 years’ milestone, but also because it welcomed a new management team: Ambassador ZHANG Yan is now the 6th Executive Director and Mr Karsten WARNECKE the 6th Deputy Executive Director of ASEF.

I would like to congratulate them both and, on behalf of the ASEF Board of Governors, I would like to assure them of the full support from the members of the Board. The Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM) dialogue process has the objective to strengthen the relationship between Asia and Europe in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership. I am confident that under the guidance of the new leadership ASEF will continue to take forward this mission of ASEM in the right direction.

In 2012, ASEM as well as ASEF witnessed an enlargement with three new member countries joining its ranks, namely Bangladesh, Norway and Switzerland. ASEF currently has the support of the 51 members, which are all full partners in the ASEM political process.

Since its inception in 1997, ASEF has been a unique institution, which connects ASEM leaders with their civil societies by promoting informal dialogue between the two. With the mission to foster Asia-Europe relations, this year ASEF continued to play the pivotal role of a platform to share civil society’s recommendations for the consideration of ASEM leaders. Commemorating its 15th Anniversary, ASEF successfully implemented numerous projects and activities, bringing together people from the two regions. These opportunities to connect aimed to create more avenues for greater inter-regional partnerships to address relevant crossborder issues.

ASEF stands for enhancing dialogue, enabling exchanges and encouraging collaboration across the fields of governance, economy, sustainable development, public health, culture, and education. Together with about 700 partner organisations ASEF has run more than 600 projects, mainly conferences, seminars and workshops. Over 17,000 Asians and Europeans have participated in its activities and it has reached wider audiences through networks and web-portals, exhibitions and lectures.

ASEF’s successes would not have been possible without the unwavering support of its stakeholders, the ASEM governments, ASEF’s partners and sponsors, as well as the tireless efforts of ASEF’s dedicated staff. I would like to commend the entire ASEF staff for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm in the development and execution of ASEF’s programmes, and for their steadfast belief in ASEF’s vision and mission. Their continued efforts will ensure that the relationship between Asia and Europe will continue to flourish in the future.

With time, ASEF will grow in good spirits, making itself even more relevant to the needs of the increasingly interconnected world. As the Chair of ASEF’s Board of Governors, I am proud of what the organisation has achieved in 2012, and I am looking forward to its continued successes in the years to come.

Ambassador Roland VAN REMOORTELE (Belgium)
Chair, ASEF Board of Governors