ASEAN Committee in Bern

𝗨𝗭𝗛 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮

During a visit to the University of Zurich (UZH) on 3 December, the ASEAN Committee met with UZH President Michael Schaepman and a panel of UZH researchers to learn more about the importance of Southeast Asia to the University's global strategy and reaffirm a shared commitment to the success of the bilateral partnership.

Led by, H.E. Bernard Dy, Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Berne and Ambassador of the Philippines to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the delegation included senior representatives of ASEAN member state embassies and missions to Switzerland, with the Ambassadors of Brunei Darussalam and Laos participating in the proceedings by video call.

Delegates were joined by representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, including Ms Nisanat Watthayu, Senior Programme Officer of the ASEAN University Network (AUN), which is hosted by Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and represents over fifty universities across Southeast Asia, and Ms Amalia M. Serrano, Senior Officer at the Secretariat’s Education, Youth, and Sports Division, based in Jakarta.

Read full story here: https://www.global.uzh.ch/en/global_university/global-activities/ASEAN-Committee-visit-3-December-2025.html

𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗻 (𝗔𝗖𝗕) 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗮!

The ACB, currently chaired by Philippine Ambassador Bernard Dy, recently met in Geneva and welcomed ASEAN's newest member, Timor-Leste. Ambassador António da Conceição said that he was proud to be attending the ACB Heads of Missions meeting for the first time. He thanked ASEAN for all the support in his country’s admission.

The ACB also met with Urban Technology Alliance, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat and the Smart Cities Network which both attended online, to discuss possible cooperation on Smart Cities.

Ambassador Dy briefed the ACB on the Philippines' upcoming Chairship of ASEAN in 2026 under the theme, "Navigating Our Future, Together." As ASEAN Chair, the Philippines’ priorities are Peace and Security Anchors, Prosperity Corridors, and People Empowerment. The Ambassador also highlighted the cross-cutting focus on the responsible, people-centred use of Artificial Intelligence covering the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars of the ASEAN Community. Next year also marks the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN-Switzerland Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.

In the ACB's fellowship lunch with colleagues from the ASEAN Permanent Missions to the UN and WTO in Geneva, Ambassador Dy proudly presented the ASEAN Philippines 2026 logo.

The ACB is composed of the ASEAN embassies accredited to Switzerland, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The ASEAN Committee in Bern, currently chaired by Philippine Ambassador Bernard Faustino Dy, is honoured to have met the Hon. Maja Riniker, President of the National Council of Switzerland, to discuss strengthening ASEAN-Switzerland relations.

Switzerland has been a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 2016, engaging in cooperation in many areas such as peace and reconciliation, security, trade and investment, health, energy, ICT, climate change, and the environment. Next year marks 10 years of this partnership. The ACB and the National Council President talked about the active ongoing engagements between the two sides and the potential for further cooperation in technical and vocational education and training or TVET and other areas.

The ASEAN Committee in Bern, in a working lunch hosted by current Chair, Philippine Ambassador Bernard Faustino Dy, welcomed Ambassador Markus Leitner, the new Assistant State Secretary for Asia and Pacific at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Leitner assumed his post just this month. Also joining the lunch were Mr. Yves Reymond, the new head of the Regional Coordination for Southeast Asia and Pacific, as well as Ambassador Andrea Rauber Saxer, head of the Bilateral Economic Relations Divisions at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.

The ASEAN Committee in Bern (ACB) is composed of the ASEAN Embassies accredited to Switzerland which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

ASEAN Committee in Bern Celebrates 58th Anniversary of ASEAN

The ASEAN Committee in Bern (ACB), chaired by the H.E. Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Bernard Faustino M. Dy, held a reception to commemorate ASEAN Day on 13 August 2025 at the Bern Historical Museum.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, marked their 58th founding anniversary on 08 August 2025. The ASEAN Embassies and Missions accredited to Switzerland that constitute the ACB aim to promote cooperation and understanding between ASEAN and Switzerland.

In his welcome address, Ambassador Dy emphasized ASEAN's vital role in promoting unity, peace, and prosperity in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, noting that celebrating its founding strengthens the commitment to tackle challenges through dialogue and collaboration. ASEAN hopes for Switzerland's continued collaboration and support as the ASEAN-Switzerland Sectoral Dialogue Partnership nears its 10th anniversary in 2026.

Attending as guest of honour was Ambassador Ivo Germann, who serves as the Head of the Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). In his remarks, Ambassador Germann highlighted the valuable and essential partnership between ASEAN and Switzerland, stating it conveys a clear and unified message that open, rules-based, and mutually advantageous trade is key to prosperity and stability.

Representatives from the Embassies/Missions of Dialogue Partners and Development Partners of ASEAN also joined in the celebration. Guests were also treated to the rich and diverse culinary delights of ASEAN prepared by ACB members. END

ACB Holds First Meeting under PH Chairship

On 29 July 2025, the ASEAN Committee in Bern (ACB), composed of the ASEAN Embassies accredited to Switzerland, convened its inaugural meeting under the chairship of H.E. Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland, Bernard Faustino M. Dy.

Among those present both in person and virtually were the ASEAN Ambassadors/Heads of Missions, namely H.E. Brunei Ambassador Pengiran Hajah Krtini binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Tahir, H.E. Indonesian Ambassador I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, Myanmar Ambassador Ei Ei Tin, H.E. Singaporean Ambassador Andrew Toh, H.E. Thai Ambassador Pannabha Chandraramya, and Malaysian Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Nor Azman Taib.