President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to reaffirm the Philippines’ position on its sovereignty and sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea and its steadfast commitment to a rules-based international order during the 2025 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In his meetings with ASEAN counterparts and dialogue partners, President Marcos is expected to underscore the significance of the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral victory under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which affirmed the country’s maritime entitlements and invalidated excessive claims in the West Philippine Sea.
In a Malacañang briefing on Thursday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Deputy Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial said a total of 22 documents are expected to be issued during the 46th ASEAN summit.
These include the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN Vision 2045, the joint statement of the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, and the ASEAN-GCC-China summit.
The President may also hold several bilateral meetings on the summit’s sidelines.
President Marcos will join other ASEAN leaders and dialogue partners in regional discussions, addressing key issues affecting Southeast Asia and the broader international community.
The President is set to participate in nine leaders’ engagements, six of them on May 26, including the plenary session and retreat session of the 46th ASEAN summit.
The President will also participate in three vital meetings with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, ASEAN youth representatives, and ASEAN parliamentarians.
Imperial said the day will conclude with the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045.
On May 27, President Marcos will participate in three more pivotal summits: the 16th Brunei, Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) summit, which the President will chair; the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit; and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
President Marcos will continue to champion the Philippines’ national interests at these meetings, focusing on regional security, economic collaboration, and strengthening engagements with dialogue partners. | PND
