Under the patronage of Professor Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University, and Professor Dr. Hanan Mohamed Ali, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, the Center for Political Research and Cultural Dialogue, headed by Dr. Hala Ahmed Al-Rashidi, in collaboration with the Committee of Ambassadors of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cairo, organized an educational seminar to introduce the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The seminar was held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, with the attendance of ambassadors from the nine ASEAN member states in Egypt, including His Excellency Ambassador Pengiran Salleh Abrahman Pengiran Haji Damit, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam; His Excellency Ambassador Ok Sarun, Ambassador of Cambodia; His Excellency Ambassador Lutfi Rauf, Ambassador of Indonesia; His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Tarid Sufian, Ambassador of Malaysia and Chair of the ASEAN Ambassadors’ Committee in Cairo; His Excellency Ambassador Kyaw Tin Shein, Ambassador of Myanmar; His Excellency Ambassador Azzedine Tago, Ambassador of the Philippines; His Excellency Ambassador Nguyen Huy Dong, Ambassador of Vietnam; Mr. Tanabordee Jutong, Chargé d'Affaires of Thailand; and Mr. Jeremy Loh, representing the Embassy of Singapore. The event was also attended by diplomats, faculty members, and students. The seminar aimed to enhance mutual understanding between Egypt and ASEAN countries, promote cultural exchange, and explore opportunities for academic and economic cooperation. The event featured insightful presentations, lively discussions, and a celebration of the rich cultural diversity of Southeast Asia.

The seminar began with a welcoming speech by Professor Dr. Hanan Mohamed Ali, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, who highlighted the historical significance of the faculty, established in 1939 and modeled after the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Dr. Hanan emphasized the faculty’s commitment to excellence in education, research, and community service, as well as its role in fostering international cooperation. Following the Dean’s remarks, His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Tarid Sufian, Ambassador of Malaysia and Chair of the ASEAN Ambassadors’ Committee in Cairo, delivered the keynote address. He provided a comprehensive overview of ASEAN, tracing its origins back to the Bangkok Declaration of 1967 and its evolution into a regional powerhouse comprising ten member states. Ambassador Sufian emphasized ASEAN’s three pillars of integration: political-security, economic, and socio-cultural. He also highlighted ASEAN’s commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, as well as its engagement with global powers such as the United States and China.

The ambassadors of the ASEAN member states took turns to share their perspectives on ASEAN’s role in regional and global affairs, as well as their countries’ contributions to the organization. His Excellency Ambassador Lutfi Rauf of Indonesia focused on Indonesia’s challenges in the South China Sea, particularly regarding China’s unilateral declaration of the nine-dash line, which overlaps with Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and its efforts to resolve disputes through peaceful means. He also discussed ASEAN’s constructive engagement with China through the Code of Conduct (COC) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which aim to maintain peace and stability in the region. His Excellency Ambassador Nguyen Huy Dong of Vietnam highlighted Vietnam’s strategic partnerships with both the United States and China, despite ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. He emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to international law and its successful arbitration case against China in 2016. He also discussed Vietnam’s economic growth and its role in ASEAN’s economic pillar, particularly in promoting trade and investment within the region.

Mr. Tanabordee Jutong, Chargé d'Affaires of Thailand, provided an overview of Thailand’s role in ASEAN, particularly in promoting cultural and social exchanges. He highlighted Thailand’s efforts to enhance regional cooperation through the ASEAN University Network, based at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. He also discussed Thailand’s commitment to ASEAN’s principles of consensus and non-interference, which have been instrumental in maintaining regional stability. His Excellency Ambassador Azzedine Tago of the Philippines shared the Philippines’ experience with ASEAN, particularly in addressing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. He emphasized the importance of international law and the Philippines’ arbitration case against China, which resulted in a landmark ruling in 2016. He also highlighted the Philippines’ economic growth and its efforts to promote regional stability through ASEAN’s mechanisms for conflict resolution. His Excellency Ambassador Kyaw Tin Shein of Myanmar provided an overview of Myanmar’s political situation, including its transition to democracy and the challenges it faces in maintaining stability. He discussed Myanmar’s ethnic diversity, with over 135 ethnic groups, and its efforts to promote peace and reconciliation. He also highlighted Myanmar’s commitment to ASEAN’s principles of non-interference and consensus, which have been crucial in addressing internal conflicts. His Excellency Ambassador Ok Sarun of Cambodia discussed Cambodia’s journey to ASEAN membership after years of civil war. He emphasized the importance of respecting ASEAN’s charter and avoiding interference in other countries’ affairs. He also highlighted Cambodia’s role in promoting regional stability and conflict resolution, particularly through ASEAN’s consensus-based decision-making process.

The seminar featured an interactive discussion moderated by Dr. Hala Ahmed Al-Rashidi, Director of the Center for Political Research and Cultural Dialogue. Faculty members and students posed questions to the ambassadors on a wide range of topics, including ASEAN’s approach to conflict resolution, its engagement with global powers, and its plans for deeper regional integration. Key questions included whether ASEAN aspires to move beyond a free trade area to higher forms of integration, such as a common currency or political union, and how ASEAN has responded to U.S. trade policies, particularly the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on countries like China and Mexico. Another question focused on ASEAN’s role in resolving conflicts in the South China Sea and its engagement with China through mechanisms like the Code of Conduct (COC). The ambassadors provided detailed responses, emphasizing ASEAN’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, its reliance on international law, and its efforts to balance relations with global powers like the United States and China.

The seminar concluded with a cultural exchange session, where attendees enjoyed a variety of Asian sweets and dishes provided by the ASEAN Committee in Cairo. This session served as an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Southeast Asia and promote mutual understanding between ASEAN countries and Egypt. In his closing remarks, Ambassador Mohamed Tarid Sufian expressed his gratitude to Cairo University and the Faculty of Economics and Political Science for hosting the event. He emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between ASEAN and Egypt, particularly in the fields of education, research, and cultural exchange. Professor Dr. Hanan Mohamed Ali, Acting Dean of the Faculty, also delivered closing remarks, thanking the ambassadors for their insightful presentations and reaffirming the faculty’s commitment to fostering international cooperation. She also presented commemorative shields to the ambassadors as a token of appreciation for their participation and contribution to the seminar.