Debate “Poland-ASEAN: an ambitious partnership in a changing world” in the Sejm

On 8.09.2022, a public debate “Poland-ASEAN: an ambitious partnership in a changing world” was held in the Column Hall of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland. It was organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies of the University of Warsaw.

Opening of the conference 

The conference began with an introductory speech by Grzegorz Napieralski – Member of the Polish Parliament, Chairman of the Parliamentary Groups of ASEAN countries. Then Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Elżbieta Witek took the floor. In their speeches, they both empathized the role of cooperation, building dialogue with parliamentarians of ASEAN countries, and the importance of Asia’s role in international security. The aspect of the rapidly developing economy, trade with Poland as well as the elimination of trade barriers was also discussed. The summary of the statements was the phrase about the pursuit of “real partnership”, based on interpersonal relations and academic cooperation. 

Both Grzegorz Napieralski and Elżbieta Witek empathized the role of young people, including student exchanges, in the process of cooperation between ASEAN countries and Poland.

Later, a video was shown with a statement by Zbigniew Ray, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, in which the topics of cooperation and the potential of the ASEAN region were discussed. The impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine on ASEAN countries was also discussed. The minister emphasized Poland’s willingness to export its products and expressed encouragement to remove non-tariffs barriers. Then the Ambassadors of the ASEAN countries: Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand took the floor.

Panel 1

Barbara Kratiuk Ph.D participated in the first panel “Economy – new prospects for bilateral cooperation” and spoke about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine on Poland and ASEAN. During the discussion, prof. Marian Haliżak, raised the issue of various scenarios for the future, including the import of energy resources as well as the supply chain and trade relations with China.

Panel 2

The second panel “Education – in search of effective and innovative cooperation”, was modeled by Łukasz Gołota, Ph.D., and had Jakub Zajączkowski, Ph.D. as one of its panelists. During the panel, and lively discussion with people from audience, the issues of academic cooperation, international exchanges and the experiences of various universities and students were discussed, thanks to the presence of Yolanda Victoria Rajagukguk – a scholarship holder studying in Poland.

After two panels, MP Grzegorz Napieralski took the floor, summing up the conference with his final speech. The willingness to organize such meetings periodically was also emphasized, thanks to the great interest and success of the organized event.

Over 250 representatives of the world of science, business, diplomacy and politics gathered in the Column Hall.

Conference Programme is avaible HERE 

Broadcast of the event is available HERE

The event (on behalf of WNPiSM) was organized by Łukasz Gołota, Ph.D. and Ambassador Tomasz Łukaszuk.

Photos: Anna Romsicka (Sejm RP) and Karolina Molska (WNPISM UW)