Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Your Excellency Vice President Kamala Harris, United States
Your Majesty,
Excellencies of the ASEAN Member States,
Good afternoon.
The United States of America is more than just a longstanding, close, and reliable friend, and ally of the Philippines. The US is also undeniably ASEAN’s partner in achieving our collective goals and aspirations as nations, both on the domestic and on the international fronts.
We, of course, welcome the US support for ASEAN Centrality and principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which envisions a free and open Indo-Pacific that is more connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.
I commend the US leadership for the hard work and vision that resulted in the Joint Statement now known as The Spirit of Camp David.
The Statement cemented a common security agenda among the United States, Japan, and South Korea, on arguably the most problematic issues in the region. Issues that undermine regional peace and prosperity, including but not limited to supporting the free and open international order based on the rule of law.
The statement opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific and the militarization of reclaimed features in the South China Sea, as well as expresses concern for the continued illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing that affects our fisherfolk.
We also welcome the trilateral maritime exercises conducted among the Coast Guards of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, which is aimed at strengthening humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) cooperation.
On the economic front, we should continue efforts at enhancing ASEAN connectivity and supply chains to further expand mutual trade.
The US economic might in the region has been a positive force. Last year, the US remained the biggest source of Foreign Direct Investment with a market share of 22.5%. We look forward to more investment inflows as well a higher turnover of goods and services through the implementation of the ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) and the Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) Work.
We likewise welcome the US’ continued initiatives in education especially in youth and women empowerment, such as the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI); the Billion Futures Scholars framework; the Fulbright US-ASEAN Visiting Scholar; and the ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women; as well as the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program, amongst others.
We thank the US [for] committing to engaging with ASEAN’s next generation of leaders through these exchanges as they provide both professional and academic exchange opportunities to emerging leaders in ASEAN.
We welcome the first year of the US-ASEAN Institute for Rising Leaders program, under the Department of State and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where 30 mid-career public service professionals will join Johns Hopkins SAIS annually for a multi-week leadership development program that began this August.
The US has always been ally and an indispensable partner of ASEAN.
As we forge closer and deeper relationships in the coming years, we hope to continue working together towards a region that enjoys lasting peace, security, stability, and resilience.
Thank you.
— END —
