MANILA (PIA) -- Following a successful state visit to Indonesia and Singapore and the attendance at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the United States of America, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. attends the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Cambodia on November 10 to 13, 2022.

Attendance at the four-day summit is significant for the President because it allowed him to engage with ASEAN member states and other world leaders to discuss the efforts of the current administration as well as issues across the region and beyond. It also gives the nation’s leader to personally seek partnership, provide suggestions and support, and be an active member of the ASEAN. 

During the summit, Marcos Jr. reiterated and presented his plans and support for various regional issues. 

FOREIGN RELATIONS

During the ASEAN Leaders' Interface, members are given a chance to learn and discuss similarities and differences of the challenges faced by every member nation. It also serves as a platform for leaders to present their ideas and plans to help other nations for the betterment of the region.  

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)
Kicking off the official list of the events attended by the President during the ASEAN Summit is engaging with AIPA. This is a parliament organization that serves as the center of information that aims to foster understanding and cooperation among its members. 

ASEAN Youth 
Similar to AIPA, the President interacts with ASEAN youth leaders. During the event, Filipino youth leader Sultan Kudarat Gov. Pax Mangudadatu cited the President as a pro-youth advocate. The Governor mentions the efforts of the President in supporting the youth through his authored legislations during his time as a legislator.

ASEAN Youth aims to be the platform for leaders to connect with the youth in crafting policies that will help them in maximizing their potential amidst challenges across the region and the world.

ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC)
With ASEAN-BAC, members discuss and encourage the formulation of policies and plans. Marcos Jr. together with his economic team reiterates his support towards micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women’s access to business opportunities, and digitalization across the region.

FOOD SECURITY

As the Agriculture Secretary, President Marcos Jr. emphasizes that food security is a priority. The President rallied for the immediate acts of world leaders to ensure food security. During the summit’s plenary session, the President reiterated his call to solidify food resilience and promote food self-sufficiency, through the use of new agricultural technologies. 

Moreover, he mentioned the backing of the Philippines to the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve or APTERR which is beneficial for a country that is prone to disasters and calamities. 

He also expressed support for the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) partners on the New Work Plan 2023-2027, which will serve as a guide in the next five years. This plan highlights public health, food security, financial cooperation, and the digital economy, particularly as the region moves toward post-pandemic recovery.

MARITIME SECURITY 

One of the most relevant issues during the summit for the Philippines aside from the economy is maritime security. Prior to the plenary session of the ASEAN Summit, the President had separate meetings with the Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss various agreements which include boosting ties, particularly in maritime security across the Indo-Pacific region. 

For his part, the President supports the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea based on international law. He added that this should be an example of how states manage their differences. During the summit with China, he reiterated the importance of the UNCLOS, or the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the primary framework for all maritime-related activities across the region. 

In a separate interview, the President said that the discussion was an essential message to all involved, including their American counterpart, regarding the West Philippine Sea. 

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

During the 23rd ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, the President sought a partnership with the Republic of Korea on providing attention to biodiversity. He mentioned ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity in the Philippines leads the ASEAN Green Initiative to plant 10 million native trees in 10 years, across all 10 ASEAN Member States. 

He also expressed hope to explore opportunities for technological cooperation on renewable energy sources with the KR citing the nation’s expertise in the field.

One of the most relevant issues raised during the ASEAN-US summit was the rising fuel prices across the globe. Marcos Jr. asked the US to use its dominance to tame this continuous issue. In relation, he also sought US President Joe Biden the long-term support of the country on the implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation. 

The Filipino President highlighted the impact of this crisis on the everyday lives of people around the world. 

Climate Change
One of the most pressing concerns raised during the ASEAN summit is climate change. The President said that the climate crisis is a “collective responsibility” of all nations, with developed countries playing a bigger role in global efforts to mitigate its risks and effects.

Among the big players that Marcos Jr. sought cooperation with were Canada and the United States. 

During the bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the two leaders related to their experiences with disasters and calamities in which climate change plays a huge part. Marcos Jr. mentioned the recent devastating typhoons and landslides while Trudeau shares Canada’s battle on against hurricanes, forest fires, droughts, and floods.

Thus, the two nations vow to strengthen their partnerships to combat climate change. 

Moreover, the President sought the support of the US for the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity which promotes the fight against climate change and the protection of the environment.

ECONOMY

Similar to previously attended international meetings with top Chief Executive Officers around the globe, the President presented the Philippines as a great investment location during the roundtable discussion with Cambodian business leaders. He shared that the Philippine economy grew by 7.6% in the third quarter of 2022. This is on top of the reported decrease in the country’s unemployment rate to five percent.

He mentions how the government is transforming policies and procedures when it comes to public-private partnerships and even government-to-government partnerships, allowing growth in opportunities for businesses.

The roundtable discussion was productive, resulting in an agreement between the Philippines and Cambodia to strengthen their cooperation in agriculture, low-cost housing, and digitalization. Efforts to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were also part of the agreement, as well as energy, manufacturing, and employment opportunities in the field of medical care.  

During the plenary session of the ASEAN summit, Marcos Jr. cited the ASEAN's establishment of a free trade area with a combined gross domestic product. He also mentioned the ASEAN Development Outlook forecast that ASEAN will surpass the European Union by 2030 to become the fourth largest economy in the world.

ASEAN’s Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is the largest free trade agreement (FTA) across the globe. Thus, according to the Chief Executive, the region is poised to recover well after the pandemic and will remain attractive to foreign investors. This agreement is between the 10 ASEAN member states and its five FTA partners which include Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.

PEACE DISCUSSIONS

Another suggested plan mentioned by the President during the retreat session of the summit was the 5-Point Consensus Peace Plan to address the crisis in Myanmar. The peace plan is a reiteration of calls for urgency in ending violence as well as hastening the dialogues between the military and the opposition movement in the affected country.

From one ASEAN member to another, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei reiterated his support in ensuring peace and stability through various initiatives in the southern Philippines which includes being part of the International Monitoring Team and the independent decommissioning body in the peace process.

Peace talks go beyond the region during ASEAN Summit, the President urged parties in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to cease hostilities, return to diplomacy and consider the human cost of the war.

In addition, during the ASEAN-UN summit, Marcos Jr. mentioned the continuous efforts of the Philippine government in promoting peace and security through the launch of the Philippines’ National Action Plan last August. 

The President also gave his sentiments about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea; thus, he called for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to comply with United Nations (UN) security council resolutions. 

With regard to relations with the United States, Marcos Jr. said the region welcomes active advocacy and concrete projects in support of efforts to combat transnational crime, terrorism, and human trafficking. He also reiterated the ASEAN’s support for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad which is a strategic security dialog between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Moreover, he highlighted the enhanced ASEAN-US collaboration to address maritime security issues and transnational crime.

HEALTH 

Talks about COVID-19 were not missed out during the ASEAN Summit. The President sent his appreciation to Japan for providing pandemic aid for over 250,000 Filipinos residing in Japan. Also, Japan gave substantial support to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and to the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, showing the reliability of the nation during the crisis. 

In addition, Marcos Jr. called ASEAN to continue its good relationship with another Asian nation – India. He explained that through strengthened ties the region can ensure better access to medicines and vaccines. He emphasized the urgency of the matter calling India the ‘pharmacy of the world.’

EMPLOYMENT AND MIGRANT WORKERS

As the inaugural chair of the ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council from 2020-2022, Marcos Jr. called for Australia’s continued support of the ASEAN-TVET Council in improving and strengthening the TVET systems and programs of the ASEAN member states. He also anticipates more training and scholarships between specialists and students in the Philippines. 

One of the highlights of the ASEAN-Canada is the nation’s commitment to protecting and promoting migrant workers’ rights through various initiatives. 

For his part, the President took the opportunity to express gratitude for the warmth and kindness of the Canadian people and for hosting over 900,000 Filipinos, whom they embraced as part of their community.

Before heading back to the Philippines, the President met with the Filipino community in Cambodia. He discussed the tie-up between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the newly created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in providing timely assistance to Filipinos in distress.

Moreover, he pledged that the administration is making efforts to improve the working conditions in the Philippines as he thanked overseas Filipinos in Cambodia who are thriving on greener pastures. 

MORE FOREIGN INVITATIONS

Aside from engaging with world leaders, there are also several invitations for future meetings and events for the President. 

State Visit to China in January 2023 
President Xi Jinping and the People’s Republic of China invited Marcos Jr. to visit China on a State Visit on January 3 to 5/6, 2023. The President confirmed and accepted the invitation. 

World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
World Economic Forum (WEF) Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab met with the President on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit. Schwab commended the Filipino leader for the growing economy, hence, he invited Marcos Jr. to attend the WEF highlighting the opportunities for investors and presenting to the global business community the efforts of the administration.

State Visit to Vietnam 
Aside from the agreements and plans to bolster ties, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also invited the President for a state visit to Vietnam.

APEC Summit
After the packed ASEAN Summit, Marcos Jr. will also attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand on November 16 to 19, 2022. During the summit, he is expected to have at least six bilateral meetings. 

He is expected to discuss the administration’s plans and priorities in terms of trade, investment, and post-pandemic economic recovery including the recent 7.6% economic growth. 

President Marcos concluded the four-day summit in Cambodia with productivity and success. During meetings and plenary sessions, he was able to “articulate our national interests”, relayed his suggestions, and express his plans for partnerships to the global community. (MVV – PIA CPSD)

Photos: Office of the Press Secretary and Official Facebook Page of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.