New Zealand’s PM Ardern lands in Clark for Asean Summit

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (right) is escorted by Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino after she arrived at the Clark International Airport on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2012, for the Asean Summit in Manila. INQUIRER.NET /FRANCES MANGOSING

CLARK FREEPORT — New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived in the Philippines Sunday afternoon for the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) Summit in Manila.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force plane carrying Ardern landed past 1 p.m. at Clark International Airport. Aside from local government officials, she was welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte’s political adviser Francis Tolentino.

Ardern breached security protocol as she went straight to the children performing a traditional dance to greet some of them before she was supposed to get inside her assigned vehicle.

All world leaders arriving in Clark Airport were welcomed with a traditional dance performance by hundreds of students from Pampanga and Bulacan.

The newly-installed leader is the youngest female to lead New Zealand at 37. She is also the third female prime minister to lead New Zealand.

Ardern also participated at the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ forum in Vietnam.

New Zealand is one of Asean’s dialogue partners, along with Australia, Canadia, China, European Union, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia, USA, and United Nations.

The Philippines is this year’s host of the Asean, which is celebrating its 50th founding anniversary. /cbb