Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 27 September 2026, visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which hosts one of the most prominent collections of Southeast Asian art in Australia, featuring classical textiles, sculptures, ceramics, and cutting-edge contemporary visual arts. The visit underscores the importance of culture and the arts in fostering people-to-people connectivity, enhancing cross-cultural understanding, and contributing to a stronger and more enduring partnership between ASEAN and Australia.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 27 September 2026, met with The Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia, on the sidelines of the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum 2026. SG Dr. Kao and Governor Beazley discussed the growing links between ASEAN and New South Wales and exchanged views on economic cooperation, people-to-people connections, and ways to further strengthen these links as part of the broader ASEAN-Australia longstanding relations, in light of the 5th Anniversary of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership this year.

Phnom Kulen Waterfall is one of Cambodia’s most renowned natural landmarks, located within Phnom Kulen National Park. The waterfall features two main tiers, with the lower cascade dropping 15–20 metres into a large natural pool. Surrounded by lush forests, rocky landscapes, and towering trees, it offers a refreshing retreat in the heart of the Kulen Mountains. The waterfall is particularly spectacular towards the end of the rainy season, when the water flow is at its strongest. Have you been to Phnom Kulen Waterfall?

On World Tourism Day, we celebrate the diversity of destinations across Southeast Asia and the journeys that bring people closer to our region. If a friend were visiting ASEAN for the first time, where would you take them?

Surrounded by lush forests, rocks, and towering trees, this waterfall is one of Cambodia’s scenic natural attractions. It features two main tiers, with the lower cascade dropping into a large natural pool where visitors can enjoy the refreshing surroundings. The waterfall is especially impressive towards the end of the rainy season, when the water flow is at its strongest. Do you know the name of this waterfall?

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Nararya S. Soeprapto, represented the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026™️ at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 25 September 2026. Celebrating the region’s shared passion for football, the tournament brings ASEAN closer together through the spirit of friendship, teamwork and unity, while marking another milestone in ASEAN–FIFA cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and FIFA.

At the invitation of Mr. Francis Wong OAM, Chairman of Australia-ASEAN Business Forum, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn will participate in the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum 2026, to be held in Adelaide, Australia, on 29-30 September 2026. During the Forum, Dr. Kao will deliver keynote remarks at the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum 2026, deliver opening remarks at the Australia-ASEAN Energy Leadership Dialogue, as well as deliver remarks at the ASEAN Gala Dinner. Dr. Kao is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with relevant Ministers from South Australia and New South Wales, including those responsible for state development, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, industry and trade, innovation, science and technology, energy and mining, infrastructure and transport, as well as with various private sector representatives. The visit reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening partnership, economic cooperation, and stakeholder engagement under the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The ASEAN–Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held on 23 September 2026 in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week, co-chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. The Meeting brought together Foreign Ministers or representatives from ASEAN and the GCC Member States to discuss the future direction of ASEAN–GCC relations, including preparations for the Third ASEAN-GCC Summit, and exchange views on regional and international developments. The Meeting reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between ASEAN and the GCC and underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, including through dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law. The Meeting also reaffirmed commitments to advance practical cooperation across a range of areas, including trade and investment, energy security, digital transformation, supply chain resilience, connectivity, tourism, education, sustainability, disaster management and humanitarian assistance. Read the ASEAN Co-Chair's Statement here: asean.org/asean-co-chairs-pr… Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and ASEAN Secretariat

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to ASEAN, H.E. Elisa Maria da Silva, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. They exchanged views on Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) - related matters and discussed ways to further strengthen Timor-Leste’s engagement and cooperation within the ASEAN Community.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to ASEAN, Mr. Mang Hau Thang, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The meeting discussed ASEAN Community- building efforts, including ASEAN’s collective efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, connectivity, and resilience for the benefit of the peoples of ASEAN.

Seri Wawasan Bridge is one of Putrajaya's signature landmarks. Spanning across Putrajaya Lake, the bridge is renowned for its futuristic sail-shaped design and striking cable-stayed structure. Connecting Precinct 2 and Precinct 8, the bridge offers sweeping views of Malaysia's administrative capital and has become a symbol of modern engineering and architectural excellence in the country. Want to learn more about the Seri Wawasan Bridge? Find out more at: bit.ly/SeriWawasan-MY

Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to ASEAN, H.E. Manuel Estuardo Roldán Barillas, presented his Letter of Credence to Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat today.   Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Roldán Barillas on his appointment and looked forward to working closely with him to further advance ASEAN-Guatemala relations. He further highlighted potential areas of cooperation between ASEAN and Guatemala, including in trade and investment, education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.   Ambassador Roldán Barillas expressed Guatemala’s commitment to enhancing its engagement with ASEAN and ASEAN Member States and to substantiate cooperation in areas of mutual interest.   Guatemala has accredited its Ambassador to ASEAN since 2021. Ambassador Roldán Barillas is the second Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to ASEAN, succeeding Ambassador Maynor Jacobo Cuyún Salguero, who completed his tenure on 6 January 2026.

Ambassador Alexander Rieger presented his Letter of Credence to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat today, officially assuming his role as Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to ASEAN.   Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Rieger on his appointment and reaffirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s readiness to work closely with him and the Embassy of Austria in Jakarta to explore cooperation with ASEAN, both bilaterally and through the ASEAN-European Union (EU) Strategic Partnership framework, in areas of mutual interest. Both sides noted the significance of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations next year as an opportunity to further strengthen the partnership.   Ambassador Rieger reaffirmed Austria’s commitment to deepening its engagement with ASEAN and its support for ASEAN Centrality, including through Austria’s planned accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). He also highlighted the prospect of establishing an ASEAN-EU Centre in Vienna in 2027 as a platform to promote cooperation between the two regions in areas such as research and innovation.   Secretary-General Dr. Kao also encouraged Ambassador Rieger to engage with the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and the wider diplomatic community in Jakarta, as well as to explore cooperation with relevant ASEAN centres of excellence.   Austria appointed its first Ambassador to ASEAN in 2012. Ambassador Rieger succeeds Ambassador Thomas Loidl, who completed his tenure on 9 February 2026.

Today, we join the people of Cambodia in commemorating Constitution Day, marking the adoption of the country's Constitution in 1993. This historic milestone laid the foundation for Cambodia's constitutional governance and its continued journey towards peace, stability, and national development.

With its distinctive sail-like silhouette rising above Putrajaya Lake, this futuristic bridge has become one of Malaysia's most recognisable architectural landmarks. Connecting key precincts in Putrajaya, it offers panoramic city views while reflecting the country's vision for innovation and progress. Do you know the name of this bridge?

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 23 September 2026, delivered remarks at the “High-Level session: Online Scams as a Global Emergency” of the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The event is hosted by the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, with the co-sponsorship of the Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Centre (LMLECC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (UNODC-ROSEAP), and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). The Conference takes on the theme “Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams” and brings together high-level government officials, law enforcement agencies, financial regulators, cybersecurity experts, technology companies, academic institutions, civil society organisations and international partners. Read the full remarks: asean.org/wp-content/uploads…

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 23 September 2026, attended the Opening Ceremony of the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Opening Ceremony was presided over by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, who delivered the Keynote Address. The Conference brought together high-level government officials, as well as representatives from international organisations and relevant stakeholders, reflecting the broad international commitment to combating online scams as a pressing transnational crime challenge.

The Fifteenth ASEAN Economic Ministers-Canada (AEM-Canada) Consultation was held on 22 September 2026 in Manila, Philippines. The Consultation was co-chaired by H.E. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines and the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade of Canada. The Meeting noted continued growth in two-way merchandise trade between ASEAN and Canada. The meeting further noted that Canada stood as ASEAN’s sixteenth largest trading partner and tenth largest source of foreign direct investment in 2025. Read the full Joint Media Statement: bit.ly/JMS-15thAEMCanada