President Marcos, Jr. Pushes Indonesia Visit for 43rd ASEAN Summit

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is gearing up to make his presence felt at the upcoming 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Indonesia. 

The summit, slated for September 5 to 7, 2023, will unfold in Jakarta and hold the spotlight on fast-tracking the ASEAN community building endeavor.

The President is set to immerse himself in a series of high-level discussions and engagements. 

With a keen eye on regional and global concerns, he aims to grapple with issues tied to the establishment of a rule-based international order and the adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

President Marcos’ engagement at the ASEAN Summit stems from an invitation by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the current ASEAN chairman. 

This summit marks the second of the year, following the earlier gathering in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, in May. The upcoming assembly will provide a pivotal stage for leaders to exchange insights on crucial regional and international affairs, fanning the flames of dialogue and collaboration among the ASEAN member states.

Setting the Agenda Straight

Central to President Marcos’ agenda is his resolute stance on a rules-based international order. He will lay stress on the paramountcy of abiding by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, especially concerning the South China Sea. 

The Philippines will fervently advocate for the freedom of navigation and overflight, while aligning with established international laws to bolster maritime stability and security.

President Marcos is poised to be a prominent figure in a string of summit sessions and bilateral interactions. 

These notable engagements encompass the ASEAN Summit plenary session, ASEAN-China Summit, ASEAN-India Summit, ASEAN-US Summit, East Asia Summit, and more. Bilateral tête-à-têtes with leaders like Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão will also shape his schedule.

Exploring Avenues of Cooperation

The discussions with the diverse array of leaders will span a plethora of cooperative domains. Talks with Vietnam will revolve around cementing the strategic partnership and collaborating on rice and food security. 

Simultaneously, efforts to bolster Timor Leste’s preparations for its impending ASEAN membership will be addressed. President Marcos and South Korean President Yoon will explore new avenues of collaboration, extend gratitude for assistance during Typhoon Egay, and contribute rice through the ASEAN Plus 3 Rice Reserve Arrangement.

The Jakarta summit is projected to churn out around 90 outcome documents. The Philippines is resolutely fixated on issues relating to food security, the transformation post-pandemic, safeguarding the rights of migrant workers, and propelling the digital economy. 

President Marcos will shine a spotlight on advocacies that encompass food and energy security, harnessing the latent power of digital industries and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

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Philippines’ Commitment to Regional Stability

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s enthusiastic participation in the 43rd ASEAN Summit underscores the Philippines’ unwavering dedication to fostering regional cooperation and stability. 

The summit is primed to offer a fertile ground for ASEAN leaders to share perspectives, dissect critical issues, and foster cooperative endeavors. 

President Marcos’ active involvement in the various sessions and meetings will ardently champion a rules-based international order, maritime security, and a spectrum of pivotal cooperative pursuits, thereby propelling ASEAN’s shared aspirations to the forefront.