The role of the ASEAN Secretariat continues to evolve. It has been the focus of concern in the ongoing exercise of improving the ASEAN organizational machinery. The Secretariat has continued its basic functions of servicing ASEAN meetings, coordinating and monitoring ASEAN activities.

A new position of Narcotics Desk Officer was set up in the ASEAN Secretariat. The main function of this officer is to facilitate the exchange of information, provide research expertise, facilitate the conduct of other relevant activities connected with drug matters, and to monitor and evaluate ASEAN projects and activities.

A significant development concerning the role of the ASEAN Secretariat in the past year was the growing importance of its representational function. The Secretary-General was invited to participate and speak in several important conferences, among them : the Herald Tribune Annual Conference in Singapore as the Guest Speaker, the 10th Conference of the ASEAN Chemical Industries Club in Jakarta, the Meeting of the Panel of Eminent Persons in Kuwait. He was also invited to visit Australia as the guest of the Foreign Minister in April 1983. There he attended the Third ASEAN Trade Fair in Perth, met officials of the Australian Development Assistance Bureau and other officials in Canberra, gave an address on "ASEAN Today" to the Australian Institute on International Affairs and spoke to various important people in government, commerce and trade.

Home-based Staff of the ASEAN Secretariat

H.E. Mr. Chan Kai Yau (Singapore)
Secretary- General
(Date of Assumption) July 1, 1982

Dr. Chng Meng Kng ( Singapore)
Director of Economic Bureau
December 1, 1980

Dr. C.P.F. Luhulima ( Indonesia)
Director of Bureau of Science and Technology
May 14, 1980

Mr. Sarawudh Kongsiri (Thailand)
Director of Social and Cultural Affairs Bureau
July 1, 1980

Dr. Teo Kar Seng (Singapore)
Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Officer
May 31, 1983

Mr. Othrnan bin Pakir Mohamed (Malaysia)
Administrative Officer
January 11, 1983

Vacant
Public information Officer

Mr. F.D. Calagui (Philippines)
Assistant to the Secretary-Genera
l October 13, 1982

Lt, Col. Chakrthep Amesbutr ( Thailand)
Narcotics Desk Officer
September 15, 1982

Meetings held at the ASEAN Secretariat during the financial year 1982/1983

Tenth Meeting of t-he Committee on Food, Agriculture and Forestry, July 26-31, 1 982

Meeting on ASEAN Research Design for ASEAN - Japan Industrial Cooperation July 29 - 30, 1982

Meeting of the Working Group on Non-Conventional Energy Research, August 2-4, 1982

Forum on ASEAN in Commemoration of its 15th Anniversary, August 2-4, 1982

Congress of the Association of ASEAN Radiologists, August 2 - 4, 1982

Experts Group Meeting on Materials Processing, August 2-4, 1982

Third Meeting of the Advisory Group on the ASEAN Cultural Fund, September 8, 1932

Second Preparatory Meeting of Organizers for the Second ASEAN Youth Music Workshop, October 25 - 27, 1982

Committee on Audit Meeting, December 13-21, 1982

Second Task Force Meeting to Review ASEAN Cooperation, December 17 - 18, 1982

Preparatory Meeting for Sixth ASEAN - Japan Forum January 13 - 15, 1983

Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Customs Matters, March 16 - 19, 1983

Fifth Meeting of the Committee on Budget, March 29 - April 1, 1983

Eleventh Meeting of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Forestry, March 14 - 18, 1983

Special Occasions and Events held at the ASEAN Secretariat

1. June 7, 1982 - Presentation of Painting by child-artist Gilang Cempaka. The winning entry at the ASEAN Youth Painting competition was formally presented to the ASEAN Secretariat by the six-year old artist. Entitled "Children of ASEAN ", the painting is displayed at the visitor's waiting room on the first floor.
   
   
2. July 1, 1982 - Ceremony on the transfer of office of the Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat from H. E. Ambassador Narciso G. Reyes of the Philippines to H.E. Mr. Chan Kai Yau of Singapore.
   
   
3. August 8, 1982 - I5th Anniversary of ASEAN. A whole day sports competition event was held among the embassies staff, ASEAN Secretariat staff and representatives from the Foreign Office of Indonesia. This was followed-by an evening reception hosted by the Secretary-General.
   
   
4. November 3, 1982 - The Opening Ceremony of the Experts Meeting on Clearing House for Women in Development was held at the Main Conference Hall of the ASEAN Secretariat.
   
   
5. November 24, 1982 - The Select Committee on Trade and Industry of the House of Commons of Australia visited the ASE-AN Secretariat and was well-received by the Secretary-General and members of his staff.
   
   
6. January 12, 1983 - Dinner hosted by the National Secretariat of Indonesia at the ASEAN Secretariat for preliminary talks with UNDP representatives.
   
   
7. January l 7, 1983 - the Japan Federation of Employers Association (NIKKEIREN) paid a courtesy call on the ASEAN Secretariat.
   
   
8. February 24, 1983 - A number of ASEAN Journalists paid a visit to the ASEAN Secretariat and exchanged views with members of the staff on ASEAN Matters.
   
   
9. March 9, 1983 - An exchange of letters between the Government of Canada and the ASEAN Secretariat on Canadian Assistance for the Strengthening of the Library Documentation Centre.
   
   
10. March 17-19, 1983 -The Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Customs Matters was held at the Main Conference Hall.
    
    
11. March 14, 1983 - The Opening Ceremony of the 11 th Meeting of the Committee on Food, Agriculture and Forestry was held at the Conference Room.
    
    
12. April 15, 1983 - Visit from the Governor of Okinawa and his delegation.