The 46th ASEF Board of Governors Meeting (ASEFBoG46) took place in the historic city of Kraków, Poland. Governors and representatives from 47 ASEF Partners attended the ASEFBoG46 to review ASEF’s strategic direction, financial matters, visibility efforts and future project proposals. Among the key outcomes of the meeting was the approval of 16 project proposals for 2026. The Board meeting was preceded by the Finance & Audit Committee session and the Executive Committee Meeting on 24 and 25 June 2025, respectively.
The Welcome Dinner was hosted by the Mayor of Kraków, Mr Aleksander Miszalski, at the historic Wielopolski Palace, location of the Kraków City Council and Deputy Mayor Ms Maria Klaman delivered the welcome remarks.
The Board Meeting took place from 26 to 27 June 2025 at the International Cultural Centre (ICC) in Kraków’s expansive Main Square. We were honoured by a keynote lecture by ICC Founder and Director Professor Jacek Purchla on “Kraków in the European Core,” offering valuable historical and cultural insights into the host city. This was followed by discussions by the Board on ASEF institutional priorities.
As part of the ASEFBoG46 programme, ASEF also presented the Curtain Raiser of the Asia-Europe Cultural Festival (AECFest) 2025 with a contemporary dance performance entitled “Looking Out and Anchoring Gaze within the Matter of”, conceived and performed by Karol Tymiński (Poland) in collaboration with musician and composer Michiko Ogawa (Japan). It was organised by the ASEF Culture Department and took place at the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology.
Following the performance, a Gala Dinner was hosted at the same venue by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland. The evening brought together the participants of ASEFBoG46 and members of the diplomatic community in Poland from ASEM countries. The event was graced by Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland Ms Anna Radwan-Röhrenschef.
The ASEFBoG46 programme concluded with a cultural visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, offering participants another experience of Poland’s rich history and cultural legacy. ASEF extends its gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland for its efficient organisation and generous hospitality in hosting ASEFBoG46, and to all participants for their active engagement and continued commitment to ASEF’s mission.