President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will attend the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, from October 8-11, 2024, the Department Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Friday.

DFA Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said the President is expected to attend 16 leaders-led engagements over a span of three days, from Oct. 9 to Oct. 11.

“In these engagements, the Philippines will continue to uphold and promote Philippine interests in ASEAN,” Espiritu said.

“He will highlight our advocacies in connectivity and resilience, especially in strengthening the digital economy, supporting MSME’s, the promotion of renewable energy development, and addressing the impacts of climate change, among others,” he added.

Espiritu said the President will also assert before the summit the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in accordance with international law.

He said President Marcos may discuss the issue of the West Philippines Sea during one of the ASEAN talks. “The President always champions that issue in all of the summits from the start,” he said.

During the series of meetings, the leaders are expected to discuss various international issues that impact the region, including the situation in Myanmar, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula, Gaza, and other geopolitical challenges affecting the Indo-Pacific region.

“The summit will serve as a platform for the leaders to exchange views on key regional and international issues, build consensus on matters of common sector, and provide policy direction for the ASEAN community for the years to come,” he said.

Ahead of the Summit, President Marcos will meet with the Filipino community there. Around 400 Filipinos have expressed interest in joining the event, according to Espiritu.

There are also possible bilateral meetings with officials of Canada, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Japan. |PND