Marcos Jr. returns from ASEAN meet

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos returned to the Philippines Friday night after attending the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits in Laos.

He said this engagement allowed him to reaffirm the country’s commitment to working with its partners to address challenges and promote common interests.

“The discussions amongst our partners and friends were not just about the challenges that we face individually, but… also about our shared commitment to finding enduring
 solutions that will safeguard our collective future,” Marcos said in a recorded arrival statement.

According to Marcos, the ASEAN leaders agreed to work more closely together in promoting sustainable agriculture to achieve long-term food security.

He added that the Philippines is collaborating with its partners to support small and medium-sized businesses by addressing financing gaps and enhancing their capacities to integrate into global supply chains.

The President also said the members of the regional bloc are also exerting their efforts to support the digital transformation of their economies.

“We are shepherding efforts in ASEAN to promote inclusive and sustainable tourism across the region as well. This will complement the Philippines’ initiatives in positioning itself as a prime destination for sustainable tourism,” he added.

Marcos highlighted the Philippines hosting meetings that tackle the issues of climate change and disaster risk reduction such as the Loss and Damage Fund Board and the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

“As the host of the Loss and Damage Fund Board, the Philippines is privileged to play a strategic role in supporting the flow of climate finance to countries that are most vulnerable to climate change, as well as to advocate for needed support and action on climate resilience,” the Chief Executive said.

Meanwhile, the disaster risk reduction conference will be held in the country next week.

Marcos said he also interacted with the ASEAN business sector and youth representatives to exchange ideas on how to promote the prosperity and welfare of the Filipinos and the entire region.

The summit also provided Marcos an opportunity to reiterate the Philippines’ stance on the longstanding dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

“I reaffirmed that the Philippines will continue to defend our sovereignty, our sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. And of course all Philippine actions will be done in accordance with international law,” the Chief Executive said.

In the summit, Marcos called on countries to reaffirm their commitment to universal multilateralism as rules-based international order, established to avoid the conflicts in the past, “is now under attack.”

He stated that the country “is continuing to strengthen its partnerships with countries that share the same commitment to peace and the rule of law.”

The Chief Executive also thanked ASEAN member states for their support of the Philippines’ candidature as a member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2027 to 2028.

He highlighted in the ASEAN summit that the Philippines will host the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security later this month, aimed at overcoming barriers hindering women’s full participation in peacemaking as well to mainstream gender in the promotion of peace and security.

He also engaged with fellow leaders on the sidelines of the summit. He talked about agricultural cooperation with Vietnam and thanked Canada for its consistent support for the Philippines, especially in defense and maritime interests.

Marcos thanked Laos for hosting the summit and congratulated the country for its successful chairmanship of the regional bloc as he looked forward to Malaysia hosting the ASEAN summit next year.

The four-day visit to Laos was Marcos’ 29th overseas trip since becoming president in 2022.

UN: Focus on four key areas

Recognizing the important role of the ASEAN in shaping and achieving a brighter future for all, UN Secretary General António Guterres called on member-states to focus on connectivity, finance, climate and peace as key areas that will help shape a brighter future for Southeast Asian nations and the world.

“This region has always been about looking ahead, and so is the Pact for the Future, adopted last month at the United Nations. We need to keep looking ahead. Let me point to four key areas,” Guterres said.

“First, connectivity—your theme for the year. We start with a fundamental objective: technology should benefit everyone. Across Southeast Asia, broadband and mobile internet connectivity has soared, yet the digital divide persists,” he told ASEAN leaders.

According to him, artificial intelligence is the new “divider” and every country must be able to access and benefit from such new technologies and every country should be at the table when decisions are made about their governance.

Guterres said finance is the second key area to focus on as he acknowledged how international financial institutions can no longer provide a global safety net – or offer developing countries the level of support they need.

“The Pact for the Future says clearly: we need to accelerate reform of the international financial architecture to close the financing gap of the Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure that countries can borrow sustainably to invest in their long-term development and to strengthen the voice and representation of developing countries,” he explained.

“Third, climate. ASEAN countries are feeling the brunt of climate chaos – disasters like Super Typhoon Yagi – while the 1.5 degree (Celsius) goal is slipping away. We need dramatic action to reduce emissions. The G20 is responsible for 80 percent of total emissions – they must lead the way,” he said.

Welcoming the pioneering Just Energy Transition Partnerships in Indonesia and Vietnam, he stressed that by next year, “every country must produce new NDCs (nationally determined contributions) aligned with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Developed countries must keep their promises to double adaptation finance. And we need to see significant contributions to the new Loss and Damage Fund.”

Lastly, Guterres said peace is the fourth area to focus on as he acknowledged “your constructive role in continuing to pursue dialogue and peaceful means of resolving disputes from the Korean Peninsula to the South China Sea.”

“I salute you for doing so in full respect of the UN Charter and international law – including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he said.

Guterres took note of how Myanmar “remains on an increasingly complex path” as he expressed concern over how “violence is growing” and how “the humanitarian situation is spiraling.”

He added “ASEAN exemplifies community and cooperation” and reminded Southeast Asian nations that “you are far more than the sum of your parts. — Helen Flores, Michael Punongbayan