(VOVworld)- Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday/ on Friday hosted a ceremony to hoist the ASEAN flag to mark the bloc’s 46 th founding anniversary (August 8). Present at the event were ambassadors of ASEAN member countries in Malaysia, ambassadors of ASEAN partner countries, government and parliament officials. Delivering the opening speech, Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said the flag raising ceremony is to honor the association’s positive achievements, contributing to improving public awareness, especially young people’s knowledge about ASEAN’s role. He said that ASEAN’s theme this year, “Our people, our future”, reflects the central role of people in the bloc’s future development, matching its agenda to build a people-orientated ASEAN Community. Such an ASEAN will attract greater involvement from all walks of life in the work of the bloc, he added, calling for support from its member states to help youngsters take part in youth-related ASEAN programs. On the occasion, the ministry held a photo exhibition on ASEAN’s development history and achievements.