NONTHABURI, Thailand—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is expected to highlight regional security and stability issues as well as environmental challenges as he attends the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits here from November 2 to 4.
President Duterte arrived in Bangkok on Friday night to join other ASEAN leaders and dialogue partners for the annual regional summit.
“The President will join other Leaders from ASEAN and Dialogue Partners to advance ASEAN’s community-building agenda aimed at ensuring greater peace, security, and prosperity in the Asia Pacific,” according to his departure statement.
“In line with the theme ‘Advancing Partnerships for Sustainability,’ the President and his regional counterparts will explore ways to further promote inclusive and sustainable development and address the challenges posed by climate change, marine pollution, and other environmental issues.”
They will also exchange views on pressing issues such as trade tensions, geopolitical shifts, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it added.
The developments in the South China Sea, as well as other security concerns, particularly terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes will also be addressed.
The ASEAN will also have one-on-one summits with China, India, the United States, Japan, and the United Nations to examine the current status and future direction of dialogue partnerships.
At the same time, the President and his fellow ASEAN leaders will discuss key strategic issues affecting the region’s security and growth prospects during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit with Japan, China and South Korea.
More than 40 outcome documents are expected to be concluded during the 35th ASEAN Summit, which will serve as blueprints for the region’s collective pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable ASEAN Community.
The President’s trip will be his fourth visit to the Kingdom of Thailand. The first visit was in November 2016 when he paid his respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
He made his second trip in March 2017 during an official visit to the kingdom and the third was in June this year for the 34th ASEAN Summit.
Among those who welcomed the President upon his arrival in Thailand were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul
and Deputy Chief of Protocol Vosit Vorasup.
Ambassador Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon and Chief Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert E.A. Borje were also present.
The members of the President’s official delegation include Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez, Social Welfare Sec. Rolando Joselito Bautista, Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi, Socio Economic Planning Sec. Ernesto Pernia, Communications Sec. Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN Noel Servigon, and Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Bernardino-Aragon. PND
