Asean Summit kicks off with Permanent Representatives meeting

The stage is set for the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the Asean. MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Manila kicked off Wednesday with a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the Asean.

The Permanent Representatives to the Asean would tackle supporting the work of the Asean community councils and Asean Sectoral Ministerial Bodies, coordinating with Asean National Secretariats and other Asean Sectoral Ministerial Bodies, and working with Asean’s external partners on common projects, programs and activities, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.

The Asean Permanent Representatives meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) started off the series of preparatory meetings among Ministerial and Senior Officials levels from April 26 to 28.

The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) Leaders and Delegates would also have dinner at the City of Dreams Wednesday night.

The Asean Summit proper would begin Saturday, with the opening ceremonies and a signing ceremony on the Asean Declaration on the Role of the Civil Service as a Catalyst for Achieving the Asean Community Vision 2025.

President Rodrigo Duterte would chair the 30th Asean Summit Plenary and Retreat as well as the BIMP-EAGA Summit on April 29. He would host a Gala Dinner for the Leaders and delegates on that day.

READ: Asean meet is Duterte’s debut as summit host

Under the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,” the Asean leaders would discuss progress in the implementation of the Asean Vision 2025, as well as its external relations and future direction. IDL