The year 2013 was marked with significant milestones and achievements for the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). ASEF demonstrated its relevance to the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process by contributing directly or indirectly to several important ASEM events, amongst them the 11th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM11) in November 2013 in New Delhi, India and the 4th Asia-Europe Meeting of Ministers of Education (ASEMME4) in May 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ASEF's presence in these ASEM meetings not only showcased its added value but also enhanced ASEF's alignment with the ASEM process.
In retrospect, ASEF is proud of its accomplishments in the course of the year 2013: ASEF successfully implemented more than 20 meaningful projects in Asia and Europe and more than 60 supporting activities across both regions, including the 13th ASEM Human Rights Seminar on "Human Rights and the Environment", the Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum) Conference, the ASEF Experts' Meeting and Public Forum on "Investing in Heritage Cities: Stimulus for Sustainable Tourism and Livelihoods", the 9th ASEF Journalists' Colloquium on "Media and the Green Agenda: Reporting on Sustainable Development in Asia and Europe", etc.. All these projects produced impressive results and received commend and appreciations from the stakeholders, the ASEF Governors, the ASEM governments, our partners and participants. It goes without saying that ASEF would not have been able to achieve so much without the ongoing engagement and active participation from the governments, civil societies and people across the ASEM constituency.
Looking ahead, ASEF has a dynamic agenda in 2014: ASEF is ready to make its contributions to the success of the upcoming 10th ASEM Summit in Milan, Italy and the 6th ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. ASEF will also do its utmost to ensure that its consolidated, yet diversified project portfolio for 2014 approved at the 30th ASEF Board of Governors' Meeting will yield the desired results through well-planned and creative project management. Furthermore, ASEF and its Board are tasked by the ASEM Foreign Ministers to prepare a draft paper on recommendations for enhancing "Closer Synergies between ASEF Activities and the ASEM Process". Last but not least, to secure a stable and sustainable financial basis for ASEF, the review of ASEF's Funding Mechanism is also a priority of the year.
In conclusion, the year 2014 is both challenging and promising for ASEF. Nevertheless, I am sure that with the continued support from our stakeholders, ASEF will be able to adapt to the changing environment and to fulfil the expectations and demands from the ASEM members and their people. For that, I look forward to your continued cooperation, engagement and participation in ASEF's future endeavours.
Ambassador ZHANG Yan
ASEF Executive Director
