THE HAGUE, Aug 10 — The aroma of nasi lemak and freshly pulled teh tarik filled the air, while captivating cultural performances set the tone for a vibrant Asean Day celebration here in the Netherlands.
The colourful showcase of Southeast Asia’s rich heritage came to life as the Malaysian, Indonesian, Philippine, Thai and Vietnamese embassies marked the occasion on Friday with a renewed call for unity.
Guests enjoyed a lively morning of cultural exchange, warm camaraderie, and the unmistakable flavours of ASEAN hospitality, with Malaysian favourites — nasi lemak, teh tarik, and the special serawa durian — proving crowd-pleasers that drew praise from attendees.
In a statement, the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague said diplomats, government officials, and members of the public gathered to celebrate the region’s diversity under this year’s theme: “Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Asean Future”.
Ambassador of Malaysia and chair of the Asean Committee in The Hague (ACTH) Datuk Roseli Abdul in his welcoming remarks highlighted Asean’s remarkable achievements over the decades and called for renewed efforts to build a resilient, innovative, and people-centred Asean Community.
The event was graced by the presence of Asean ambassadors from Brussels, the ambassador of Timor-Leste from London, representatives from the Dutch government and international organisations, as well as members of the media.
Gerrie Willems, representing the Dutch Foreign Ministry, reaffirmed close ties between Asean and the Netherlands. She expressed optimism that both sides would continue to explore new opportunities and strengthen cooperation based on mutual respect and shared values.
Asean Day 2025 was hailed as a resounding success, underscoring the shared commitment of Asean members to deepen friendship, cooperation, and cultural understanding in the Netherlands and beyond.
The event was supported by the Agriculture Counsellor Office, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), and the Tourism Malaysia branch in The Hague.
