(Photo courtesy: Presidential Communications Office)
MANILA, (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to arrive in the Philippines Thursday from a productive participation in the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Bajo, Indonesia.
Upon his arrival at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, Pres. Marcos is set to report the Philippines’ significant diplomatic and multi-lateral gains, following his two-day participation in ASEAN.
Among the key takeaways reported by state-run media include the Philippine leader calling on the ASEAN member-states to seek creative approaches that guarantee regional food autonomy and to safeguard energy security.
Pres. Marcos also expressed the Philippine government’s commitment to work with the private sector to advance region’s goals and objectives, while at the same time, rallying the ASEAN to provide support to nano businesses, noting that the advancement of this sector has the potential to bolster the region's overall economic expansion and reduce the developmental disparity.
Moreover, he called for the ASEAN member states to take a leading role in shaping the regional and global economy by staying “united together and stronger” in determining its present and future economic agenda, and keeping pace with the rapid digital regional transformation.
The Philippines also enhanced its ties with Laos on relations across several areas such as health, education, trade and people-to-people exchange agreements.
Likewise, Pres. Marcos and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed to elevate the Philippines and Vietnam’s cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, and defense and security.
Meanwhile, in his intervention during the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, Marcos called on the member-states of the regional bloc to support initiatives aimed at empowering the youth, as he acknowledged the young leaders’ crucial role in addressing pressing challenges, such as climate change, environment and biodiversity, and peace and security.
He also raised the concerns of the aging population, consistent with the region’s tradition of valuing the elderly during the 42nd ASEAN Summit Plenary Session. (PIA-NCR)
