On 19 August 2026, H.E. Ms. Nipa NIRANNOOT, Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of Senegal, together with officials of the Royal Thai Embassy, co-hosted the celebration of the 59th ASEAN Day with the Embassies of the Republic of Indonesia and Malaysia at the Residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia in Dakar. The celebration featured the raising of the ASEAN flag along with the ASEAN Anthem, remarks by ASEAN Ambassadors, an “ASEAN Way” group photo, and a buffet lunch showcasing the national cuisines of ASEAN Member States.

The event was attended by H.E. Mr. Alioune Badara DIONE, Minister of Microfinance and the Social and Solidarity Economy, and Mr. Aliou DIALLO, Senior Technical Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal, as well as Ambassadors and representatives of ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners.

On this occasion, the Thai Ambassador highlighted ASEAN’s significant achievements and its vision as an open, inclusive and forward-looking Community, which seeks to promote partnerships between ASEAN and countries around the world, including Senegal and the wider international community. She also underscored Thailand’s role and commitment, as a founding member of ASEAN, to advancing cooperation in connectivity, sustainable development, public health, disaster management and people-to-people exchanges. Thailand is also home to several key ASEAN institutions, including the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), and the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD).

The celebration provided an important opportunity to enhance knowledge, understanding and awareness of ASEAN in Senegal, while promoting ASEAN identity, particularly the principles of ASEAN centrality and the “ASEAN Way”. The event also contributed to laying a foundation for further strengthening relations and cooperation between ASEAN and Senegal, as well as countries across West Africa, in the years ahead.