About VECONAC
Introduction
The Confederation of Veterans in South East Asia (VECONAC) was established on
December 19, 1980 in Jakarta based on the Manifesto of Veterans Confederation of ASEAN
Countries. The document was signed by the Heads of Delegations from Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Thailand and Singapore.
The Philippines proudly stands as a founding member of VECONAC. Thanks to the efforts
of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) alongside the Philippine Veterans Affairs
Office, we're honored to host the 35th Executive Board Meeting and 22nd General Assembly from
November 26 to 30, 2023. As part of this event’s activities, the Veterans Memorial Medical Center
will provide a guided tour of the various facilities on November 28, 2023, allowing us to highlight
the changes the hospital has gone through over the years.
History Of Establishment
On December 19, 1978, representatives from ASEAN organizations of veterans agreed to establish
a federation among veterans’ organizations in ASEAN Countries. The aims of the organization are:
•
To promote cooperation among veterans’ organizations in ASEAN Countries to further
increase the prosperity of its members in the field of socio economy as well as status.
•
To enhance solidarity among ASEAN organizations of veterans.
An Ad-hoc Committee of five representatives of ASEAN was set up to prepare:
•
The constitution of ASEAN Federation of Veterans.
•
The name of ASEAN Federation of Veterans.
•
The opening ceremony and the first General Assembly of the Veterans federation of
ASEAN to be held in Jakarta.
•
The date, venue and the number of delegates from each veterans’ organization to be
invited.
The first ad-hoc meeting held in Manila in July 1980 decided to establish a regional veterans’
organization of ASEAN based on the following:
•
The organization should be a supporting organization for the achievement of ASEAN
objectives contained in the Bangkok Declaration and Kuala Lumpur Declaration.
•
The membership is open only for veterans’ organizations officially endorsed by its
respective country.
Inauguration of VECONAC
As a result of the first Ad-hoc Meeting, Legiun Veteran Republik Indonesia (LVRI) organized
the meeting in Graha Purna Yudha (Granada) Building on December 19-20, 1980. The inaugural
ceremony of VECONAC was attended by the Heads of Delegates from five countries and witnessed
by the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Adam Malik.
In 1985 the Ex-Servicemen and Ex-Policemen Association of Brunei Darussalam joined
VECONAC, bringing the membership to six member countries.
The 21st ASEAN Standing Committee meeting in Bangkok on October 20-22, 1987
recognized VECONAC as a Non-Governmental Organization dealing with matters pertaining to
veterans and with affiliation to ASEAN.
The Veterans Association of Vietnam was admitted as a regular member of VECONAC
effective 1997. This was followed on February 15, 2008 when the Singapore Armed Forces
Veterans League was admitted as a regular member of VECONAC, replacing its founding
organization, the Ex-Services Association of Singapore.