TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Ministry will hold ASEAN Parade on August 27 to celebrate its 50th birthday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Armanatha Nasir said that the parade will take place in Jakarta’s main roads: from Monas to MH Thamrin to HI Roundabout and end before a performance stage on Jalan Imam Bonjol.

“The main purpose of the event is to feature the diversity of 10 ASEAN member states and the most important thing is to strengthen the connection among the members,” Nasir said in Jakarta yesterday, August 24.

Read: Italy, ASEAN Hold First Trade Dialogue

Nasir said that even though it is now fifty years old, many have yet to realize the importance of the bloc. The anniversary celebrations present the opportunity to promote ASEAN to the people.

Director General of ASEAN Cooperation of the Foreign Ministry Jose Antonio Morato Tavares said that the parade is also aimed at promoting Jakarta as Southeast Asia’s diplomatic capital since its secretariat is located in the city.

Jose said that ASEAN member states will be joining the parade. The event will feature several performances, such as marching bands, cultural groups, art studios and local communities.

Foreign Ministry will collaborate with the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry, Communication and Informatics Ministry, the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) and Jakarta administration to hold the ASEAN parade. Local celebrities Nicholas Saputra and Chelsea Islan have been named as the ambassadors of the event.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI | SETIAWAN ADIWIJAYA