The 15th Annual Meeting of the Council of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (Secretary General Kim Hae-yong) was held on 15-16 February 2023 in Seoul, Korea. The first off-line meeting in three years since the onset of COVID-19 brought together members of the Council, composed of high-ranking officials representing the governments of the 10 ASEAN Member States and Korea, to review the outcomes of FY2022 programs and discuss the planned programs and budget for FY2023.

This year’s Meeting was all the more important, as it sought ways for strengthening co-prosperity and solidarity between ASEAN and Korea amid the reinvigorating international cooperation. Korean Administration unveiled the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative last November during the ASEAN-Korea Summit, while Indonesia, as ASEAN Chair, adopted the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.” Against this backdrop, it is imperative for the ASEAN-Korea Centre to play a key role at the forefront of the ASEAN-Korea partnership.

On the occasion of the Meeting, the Welcoming Reception was also held on 16 February. Approximately 130 key partners from the ASEAN Embassies in Seoul, relevant organizations, academia, and media attended to build network for future cooperation.