MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia Monday, September 4, to attend the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits, where he is expected to advance the country’s interest in the regional gathering.

The presidential plane carrying the chief executive touched down at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 6 pm (Jakarta time). The President is joining the summit upon the invitation of ASEAN Summit Chair and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The President said he would use his summit attendance to push Philippine priorities in ASEAN and work with other ASEAN Member States not only in addressing the complex challenges facing the region, but also in pursuing opportunities for ASEAN as an “epicentrum of growth.”

He will also highlight, he said, the country’s advocacies in promoting a rules-based international order, including in the South China Sea, strengthening food security, calling for climate justice, tapping the potential of the digital and creative economies, protecting migrant workers in crisis situations, as well as combating trafficking in persons.

ASEAN leaders are also expected to have extensive disccussions to deepen their partnerships with Australia, Canada, India, China, Japan, Korea, the United States, and the United Nations, and to foster cooperation in trade and investment, climate action, food security, clean energy, and maritime cooperation.

The developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, and the conflict in Ukraine, as well as on major power rivalries are also expected to be discussed during the ASEAN Plus Three and East Asia Summits.

“My administration will continue to ensure that our constructive engagements with ASEAN, our Dialogue Partners, and stakeholders will serve our national interest and the well-being of the Filipino people,” he said.

The 43rd Summit and Related Summits has for its theme, “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.”

ASEAN, a political and economic union, is composed of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Cambodia. (PND)