Westminster, California – In a powerful acknowledgment of humanitarian diplomacy, Indonesia was honored with the AAPI Achievement Award on May 17, 2025, during a formal ceremony in Westminster, California. The award, received by the Consul General of Indonesia in Los Angeles, highlights Indonesia’s significant historical contribution in providing refuge to Vietnamese asylum seekers on Galang Island following the Vietnam War.
Organized by Little Saigon TV and held as part of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrations, the event brought together key figures from the Asian American community, including Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen of Westminster and Mayor Helen Tran of San Bernardino. The award positions Indonesia not only as a regional actor but as a moral leader in international humanitarian efforts.
Between the late 1970s and 1990s, Galang Island served as a UN-sponsored refugee camp for more than 250,000 Vietnamese who fled by sea. Indonesia, in collaboration with the international community, offered a safe haven during one of Southeast Asia’s most challenging periods of forced migration.
The Indonesian Consul General emphasized in his remarks that the recognition is a tribute to shared humanitarian values and a reminder of ASEAN’s collective responsibility in addressing past and present challenges. He also called for stronger partnerships within the Asia-Pacific diaspora in the United States, particularly in advancing cultural diplomacy and cross-border economic cooperation.
The ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances representing the AAPI community’s diversity, with Indonesia participating alongside countries such as China, Korea, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. These artistic showcases underscored the interconnectedness of Asian communities both in heritage and future aspirations.
The AAPI Achievement Award, presented during a month designated by the U.S. Congress since 1992, is among the most prestigious honors recognizing contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities to American society. For Indonesia, the accolade underscores a continued commitment to humanitarian action, regional solidarity, and multilateral engagement.
