DOHA 14 December 2023 – The ASEAN Committee in Doha, under the chairmanship of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Qatar and as coordinated by the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, donated books of various genres to the Qatar National Library (QNL) on 13 December 2023.

In a simple ceremony at the QNL Plaza, Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar and the current ACD Chair, Her Excellency Lillibeth V. Pono, handed over the book donation to Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State and President of QNL.

The seven (7) Southeast Asian Ambassadors in Doha representing Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, added to the valuable collection of books and other materials on Southeast Asia that are now available to the citizens and residents of Qatar.


In her message, Ambassador Pono expressed hope that the books will serve as the bridge between the cultures and the peoples of Southeast Asia and Qatar. She added that "through these books, readers will discover the harmony and unity that characterize the Southeast Asian region, notwithstanding their diverse cultures, religions, and socio-economic-political conditions."

The QNL team, including Executive Director Ms. Tan Huism, who, herself, is from Southeast Asia, members of the ACD Technical Working Group, and other guests also graced the event.

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.