On 16 November 2022, Dr. Orathai Phubunlap Gunaseelan, Charge d’affaires, a.i., together with the Ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, as the ASEAN Committee in Astana (ACA), and the executives of Nazarbayev University jointly opened the ASEAN Book Corner at the University’s library. The activity was marked as part of a cooperative effort of the ACA to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between ASEAN Member States and Kazakhstan in 2022.

                On this occasion, Dr. Orathai participated in a panel discussion by delivering a speech on “Thailand’s Role in Strengthening ASEAN-Kazakhstan Relations: Ways Toward an Enhanced Partnership.” In her speech, Dr. Orathai highlighted Thailand’s role as the coordinator on sustainable development cooperation of both ASEAN and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) as well as stressed the significance of the BCG Economy Model that can be linked to Kazakhstan’s Concept of Transition towards Green Economy until 2050 or “Strategy 2050”. These two issues can be considered as potential areas for enhancing cooperation and development between ASEAN and Kazakhstan.

                After the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Book Corner and the panel discussion, a small reception with national snacks of 4 ASEAN countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam was organized.