BANGKOK, Thailand—The 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit formally opened Sunday with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joining fellow ASEAN leaders during the opening rites held at the Athenee Tower.

The ceremony started with the playing of the ASEAN anthem, “The ASEAN Way.” After which, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha delivered his welcome remarks.

During the ceremony, Thailand, the host country, presented a cultural performance displaying the rich and diverse culture of the ASEAN region through Nang Yai or grand shadow play and puppet show from the 10 member states. A poem was presented at the end of the performance.

The 10 ASEAN heads of state then helped launch the satellite warehouse under the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) in Chainat, Thailand. After the launch, they executed the traditional ASEAN cross-arm handshake.

Also at the top of the agenda during the summit are visions for sustainability, trade, economic issues, enhanced disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, and other regional concerns.

Measures that address maritime pollution and proposed framework of ideas regarding Indo-Pacific affairs are also expected to be discussed.

The ASEAN member states are the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. PND