The ASEAN Secretariat and the Nippon Foundation will sign a Memorandum of Agreement on 27 June 2008. Under the Agreement, the Nippon Foundation will provide US$5 million over the next five years to fund implementation of projects to help the peoples of ASEAN.

“This is the first time that the Nippon Foundation is offering grant assistance to a regional, inter-governmental organisation i.e. ASEAN through the ASEAN Secretariat. We are happy and grateful to the Nippon Foundation for their commitment and contribution, and we look forward to the partnership that will be forged between the two organisations to promote the well-being of the peoples of ASEAN”, said Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN.

"This partnership will be able to assist the ASEAN Secretariat's efforts to support the building of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community by 2015. Human development and a higher quality of life for all ASEAN citizens are one of our primary objectives", Dr. Surin added.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967 in Bangkok by the five original Member States: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. It has since been joined by Brunei Darussalam, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. The current Secretary-General is Dr. Surin Pitsuwan (2008 – 2012). 

The Nippon Foundation is a major non-governmental donor organisation with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Its current Chairman is Mr Yohei Sasakawa.

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A Signing Ceremony cum Media Conference will be held on 27 June 2008 (Friday), 2:30pm – 3:30pm at the ASEAN Secretariat