President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. returned to Manila on Wednesday following his successful participation in the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, where he reaffirmed the Philippines’ unwavering commitment to regional cooperation, peace, and sustainable development.
As part of the summit series, President Marcos chaired the 16th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit on Tuesday, underscoring the country’s proactive role in advancing inclusive growth and regional collaboration.
In a series of meetings, the President participated in the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit and held bilateral meetings with his regional counterparts.
In his arrival statement, President Marcos said the ASEAN Summit served as a vital platform for ASEAN leaders and partner nations to address pressing geopolitical and economic issues affecting the region, including the evolving situation in the West Philippine Sea.
“The Philippines will continue to defend our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with international law. We continue to strengthen our partnerships with all countries who share our values and our commitment to peace and the rule of law,” the President said on Wednesday.
President Marcos acknowledged ASEAN’s united commitment to advancing regional integration, adopting the “ASEAN Community Vision 2045,” and corresponding strategic plans to guide the region’s future over the next two decades.
The President reported that the ASEAN leaders shared the priority of inclusive growth through initiatives such as the “Complementarities Initiative,” which aligns ASEAN’s goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Chief Executive said security and cooperation remained central themes, with a reaffirmation of ASEAN’s dedication to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, and calls for full implementation of key international agreements, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty.
On the economic front, the President underscored ASEAN’s resilience by a 4.7 percent growth rate in 2024, surpassing global averages.
President Marcos noted that the ASEAN leaders exchanged views on the risks posed by unilateral tariff measures and expressed support for establishing the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force, which aims to offer timely policy guidance in addressing regional economic challenges.
The President said further economic collaboration was strengthened through updates to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), amendments to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and increased utilization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The President said the Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC was welcomed.
President Marcos cited the importance of advancing responsible and ethical technology use while noting ASEAN’s steps toward establishing the ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Safety Network, which aligns with the Philippines’ advocacy for AI safety and governance.
Socio-cultural development was highlighted through the adoption of the ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework, and discussions on green jobs, education, migrant rights, civil service, and health.
The President reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to ASEAN youth, citing the successful hosting of the 14th Senior Officials Meeting on Youth and the ASEAN Youth Climate Action and Disaster Resilience Conference in Manila.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, President Marcos held several bilateral meetings with fellow regional leaders to strengthen strategic partnerships and explore areas of mutual interest and common concerns.
President Marcos thanked Malaysia for hosting the ASEAN Summit and affirmed the Philippines’ readiness to lead as ASEAN Chair in 2026. | PND
