MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday he is attending the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council (ASEAN-GCC) Summit to advance the country’s interest in various fields amid the current challenges and major geopolitical developments.

The President left for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the first ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit to help enhance the security, economic, and socio-cultural collaboration of the two regional groupings after more than 30 years.

“It gives us, the Philippines, a unique opportunity to advance our priorities in ASEAN under the ASEAN GCC framework while forging closer cooperation between the two dynamic regional organizations,” President Marcos said in his departure statement at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“This Summit will serve as an important platform for the Philippines to highlight the need for cooperation in energy and food security, logistic, supply chains, digital transformation, the free flow of goods, people, and services, as well as the enhancement and protection of the rights of course of our overseas workers,” *he added.*

According to the President, his administration will see to it that the country’s constructive engagement with ASEAN and its partners will continue to serve the national interest and the well-being of the Filipino people.

During his visit to the kingdom, he said he will emphasize the Philippines’ advocacy for a rules-based international order to maintain peace, security, and stability in both regions.

While in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the President will be meeting with the Filipino community to share with them important developments in the Philippines and to recognize their invaluable contributions to national development.

GCC countries are home to an estimated 2.2 million Filipinos working in critical fields. (PND)