Cooperation of the Republic of Belarus with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to ASEAN since June 2018 — Mr.Valery Kolesnik. Credentials presented to ASEAN Secretary General Mr.Dato Lim Jock Hoi on June 25, 2018.

On September 23, 2011 during the 32nd session of the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly (September 18-24, 2011 Phnom Penh, Cambodia), the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus received the status of the observer at the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly. The National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus annually participates in AIPA activities using observer status to strengthen contacts with the countries of Southeast Asia.

On June 12, 2012 as part of the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mr.Sergei Martynov to the Republic of Indonesia, he met with ASEAN Secretary General Dr.Surin Pitsuwan. Following the talks, the President of the Republic of Belarus decided to accredit the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Indonesia as the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to ASEAN.

On May 22-26, 2016 a delegation of the Belarusian Special Training Center and the Embassy of Belarus in Indonesia took part in the 16th meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on Transnational Crime in Jakarta.

On November 22, 2018 Minsk hosted a seminar “Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Export prospects".

In November 2020, Ambassador Valery Kolesnik took part in the online events of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on the sidelines of the 37th ASEAN Summit.

In 2020, inter-parliamentary cooperation continued. The National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus of the 7th convocation has formed a Delegation to Maintain Contacts with the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In September 2020, the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Vladimir Andreichenko sent a video message to participate online in the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly. Mr.Vladimir Andreichenko also participated in the online events of the 2021 General Assembly of the IPA ASEAN.

Potash fertilizers are the main Belarusian export position in the region. In 2021, Belarus' trade turnover with ASEAN countries reached 830.5 million dollars (115.6% compared to 2020). Exports of Belarusian products amounted to 562.4 million dollars (growth — 120,3%), imports of Belarus — 268.1 million dollars. There was a positive balance of 294.4 million dollars.

The focus remains on expanding trade and economic partnership with ASEAN. Contacts with ASEAN business structures are developing. On October 25, 2021 the Belarusian delegation consisting of the Ambassador of Belarus to Indonesia and to ASEAN concurrently Mr.Valery Kolesnik, the Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr.Vladimir Ulakhovich, and the Director of the National Center for Marketing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Mr.Valery Sadokho participated in the online events of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.