The Honourable Arnold Foote OJ, CD, JP, President of the World Federation of Consuls.

The rapidly changing global environment affects the nature of the work done by consuls and the conditions under which they work. Among the significant challenges that consuls face globally is the emergence of new security risks that threaten peace, security and development.

Governor of East Java, H.E. Dr. H. Soekarwo, in his speech, declared the Conference officially open. In his speech, H.E. Dr. H. Soekarwo said: Assalamu’alikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

First of all and foremost, let me humbly invite you all to praise the Lord, the Almighty, for His grace and blessing that enable us all to gather in this City of Heroes, after only last week the Indonesian people celebrated the Heroes’ Day

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.

I cannot say enough about the graciousness and the hospitality that we have all received from we arrived here in beautiful Surabaya. Thank you very much.

What an exciting and fruitful day we had. We were treated to hear fantastic speakers in this Conference, starting with the inspiring address of our President, Hon. Arnold Foote, as ably read by our Secretary-General, Hon. Aykut Eken.

A marathon runner, at the finish of his marathon, once said: “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”

FICAC President Arnold Foote, in his speech, said:

Your Excellency Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Didier Reynders…