30 January 2006 - Ambassador Jose S. Brillantes has assumed the chairmanship of the ASEAN-Ottawa Committee (AOC), following turnover ceremonies  on 18 January during the 195th AOC Meeting. The AOC is composed of the Head of Missions of ASEAN Embassies and High Commissions accredited to Ottawa.

By reason of Ambassador Brillantes’ chairmanship, Minister and Consul General Joseph Gerard B. Angeles also automatically assumed the chairmanship of the AOC Working Group, composed of deputies and officers of the ASEAN missions.   Minister Angeles is assisted in the Working Group by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rhenita B. Rodriguez.
 
Outgoing AOC Chairman Magdalene Chee Siong Teo, High Commissioner for Brunei Darussalam, turned over the AOC gavel and sound block to Ambassador Brillantes, in the presence of other AOC Heads of Mission and members of the AOC Working Group.

The first major AOC activity under the Philippine chairmanship will be the Working Visit of ASEAN Heads of Mission to the Canadian West Coast, particularly in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, slated  in March 2006. The visit will include calls on the Premiers and Lieutenant-Governors of British Columbia and Alberta, the provincial ministers of investment and trade, and the local chambers of commerce to promote ASEAN as a trade partner and investment destination.

Another major project during the Philippine chairmanship is the forging of the 2005-2006 Canada-ASEAN Joint Cooperation Work Plan.

The Philippine chairmanship will also focus on promoting ASEAN awareness. In line with this objective, AOC is planning to host an ASEAN Food Fair sometime during spring or summer, an ASEAN Forum sometime in summer or fall, an ASEAN Day Reception sometime towards the end of September, accompanied by a newspaper supplement, and ASEAN sports throughout the year to promote camaraderie among mission members and their families.  END