Dr. Mahathir Mohamad,
Excellencies,
Honourable Arnold Foote, President of the International Federation of Consular Associations,
Mr. Soy M. Pardede, President of the Association of Honorary Consuls to Indonesia,
Honorary Consuls to Indonesia
and to Other Countries of the Asia-Pacific Region,
Distinguished Participants to the 3rd FICAC East Asia Regional Conference,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to welcome all of you to Surabaya and to join you at the opening of this Third FICAC East Asia Regional Committee Meeting and Conference.

On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, I wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Association of Honorary Consuls to Indonesia (AHCI) for organising this auspicious event.

May I also congratulate the Organisation on its election to host and conduct the 11th World Congress of Consuls, which will be held in Bali, Indonesia, in 2015. This is a distinct honour for Indonesia, as the important role of honorary consults today is well recognised and appreciated by sending and receiving governments alike. International diplomacy is a demanding and tedious undertaking and regular diplomats in embassies and missions abroad may not be in a position to carry out all the work that it requires. Honorary consuls who come from various professional backgrounds can assume a significant part of this crucial responsibility. With your help, the effectiveness of foreign policy is greatly improved. As to the theme of the 3rd FICAC East Asia Regional Conference, “Asia to the World” is indeed an excellent choice. It is both timely and meaningful.

For there is no denying that the geopolitical center of gravity has shifted to the larger Asia-Pacific region. Since the advent of the present century, many positive changes have taken place in this part of the world. Not a few countries within the region have undergone political transformation. We are all witnessing democracy on the march and improved governance, bringing benefits to our peoples. Some of our countries are serving as models of political development for nations that are aspiring for democratic transition.

At the same time, the regional economies have shown extraordinary dynamism. As a result, our economies in the Asia-Pacific, as a group, have become the engine of global economic growth.

Because of these positive developments, the countries of the Asia-Pacific are called upon to assume new responsibilities and to face new challenges. One of the greatest challenges that we have to face is to ensure that our countries’ relations and interactions with one another are marked by partnership rather than rivalry. In the face of that challenge, this meeting takes on a greater importance.

Today’s meeting provides Honorary Consuls in East Asia a unique opportunity to engage one another in constructive ways. It also brings about a rare opportunity for you to devise ways and means of fostering closer and more robust relations with Honorary Consuls serving in other parts of the world. This should lead to a more vigorous promotion of mutual understanding and cooperation between the sending countries represented by the Honorary Consuls and the host countries.

In that capacity and in the pursuit of your important responsibilities, you can contribute to the shaping of an even more dynamic Asia-Pacific region, and ultimately a better world. Excellencies, Distinguished Honorary Consuls,

I have every confidence that you will be equal to the tasks that you have set for yourselves today.

May you have a pleasant stay in Surabaya and may your deliberations be fruitful.

Thank you.