PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. arrived yesterday in Indonesia where he will promote Philippine interests and forge cooperation with other nations during the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits.
The official ASEAN Summit activities will start this morning, with the ASEAN leaders’ group photo followed by the opening ceremonies and plenary sessions.
Marcos is expected to attend the Opening and Plenary Session, ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN-Interparliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth.
Marcos arrived at the Komodo Airport in Indonesia at 4:53 p.m. yesterday aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR001.
Before leaving, the President formed a caretaker committee, chaired by Vice President Sara Duterte with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Environment Secretary Antonia Loyzaga as members, to oversee the Executive branch while he is in Indonesia from May 9 to 11.
In his departure speech, the President said he would promote the Philippines’ interests and join the current efforts to strengthen cooperation in the BIMP-EAGA sub-region to sustain its thriving economy.
Marcos said his visit to Indonesia, his second since becoming president last year, is on the invitation of the ASEAN chairman this year, Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
“I will join other leaders of ASEAN to advance our community building efforts in the region and ensure the well being and security of our people in line with the Indonesian chairmanship theme of ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. My participation will serve to promote and protect the interest of our country, including our continued efforts towards economic growth, attaining food and energy security, promoting trade and investment, combating transnational crimes such as the trafficking in persons, and protecting migrant workers in crisis situation amongst others,” he said in his departure speech.
He said he expects the discussions to include the post-pandemic economic recovery and growth as well as the recognition of the ASEAN and Southeast Asia as the “growth center for the global economy.”
“That is why it is very important that we go and continue to discuss amongst other ASEAN leaders of all the member states on how we can maximize and find that extra synergy from our working together,” he said.
Marcos said he expects the ASEAN leaders to discuss the issues pertaining to internal peace in Southeast Asia amid rising geopolitical issues in the Indo-Pacific region, while strengthening the regional bloc to a fast-growing, inclusive and sustainable economic region. He expects the ASEAN leaders to exchange views on pressing issues of common concerns such as developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, and major power rivalry, among others.
He said leaders from Timor-Leste would also attend this year’s summit as “observers” and he is looking forward to discussing with them their prospective membership in ASEAN.
Aside from attending the Summit’s opening ceremony and leaders’ Plenary Session on May 10, the President would also attend the various interfaces between ASEAN leaders the and representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the ASEAN Youth Representatives, ASEAN Business Advisory Council or ASEAN-BAC, High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision.
Marcos would also attend the 15th Brunei Darussalam – Indonesia – Malaysia – Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit and discuss developments and the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 towards promoting economic development, strengthening connectivity and the sustainable management of natural resources in the sub-region on May 11.
“In these meetings, we will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation in the BIMP-EAGA sub region to sustain its thriving economy; the strong partnership between the executive and legislative bodies of ASEAN; the pivotal role of private sector and the youth in advancing growth and shaping the future as well as the future direction of the ASEAN Vision,” he said.
It is the President’s 13th foreign trip abroad and 10th country to visit. He has travelled twice to Singapore and the US.
