New Zealand’s youngest PM in 150 years, Jacinda Ardern, flies in for ASEAN

November 12, 2017 - 2:01 PM
4563
New Zealand PM Ardern smiles to well-wishers after being welcomed by Presidential Adviser Francis Tolentino (R, behind her). PHOTO BY MONG PINTOLO, PHILSTAR

CLARK FIELD, Philippines – (UPDATED) The plane of New Zealand’s youngest Prime Minister in 150 years and the country’s third female leader, Jacinda Ardern, landed at Clark International Airport just minutes after the arrival of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore.

Ardern, 37, recently sworn as New Zealand’s Prime Minister in October, was welcomed by the Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs, Francis Tolentino.

New Zealand is one of the nine dialogue partners of the ASEAN which confirmed participation in this week’s 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, hosted by the Philippines on the regional bloc’s 50th founding anniversary.

The heads of state and government of the ASEAN members and the regional bloc’s dialogue partners including US President Donald Trump, will be feted at a gala dinner hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte Sunday night, to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.- with a report by Camille Aguinaldo, InterAksyon