By N. Kuvineshwaren
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing the well-being of Filipinos and the wider Southeast Asian community as his country prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship next year.
In delivering a statement before departing for Malaysia on Saturday to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, Marcos expressed full support for Malaysia’s leadership and its vision of an ASEAN that promotes meaningful, inclusive and sustainable development.
“I will join fellow ASEAN leaders in reaffirming our commitment to ASEAN Centrality as we navigate pressing regional and global challenges, including developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, threats to regional peace and maritime security, as well as the far-reaching impacts of climate change, economic volatility and transnational crime,” he said.
His remarks were also shared on the official Facebook page of Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM).
During the summit, Marcos is scheduled to attend 14 leaders’ meetings and participate in three signing ceremonies, including the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th Member, the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade.
He said ASEAN’s collective strength depends on the progress of each member state, adding that his administration will continue to promote transparency and accountability in public spending.
Marcos also stressed that the Philippines is working to build a future-ready nation and an ASEAN that is not only competitive but also people-centred and sustainable.
Malaysia, which holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will host the 47th ASEAN Summit from Oct 26 to Oct 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The Philippines will take over the ASEAN chairmanship from Malaysia in 2026.
-- BERNAMA
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