Asean will prevail over challenges, Duterte says on group’s 54th anniversary

A bird flies near the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) secretariat building, ahead of the ASEAN leaders’ meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 23, 2021. (REUTERS)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte expressed on Sunday confidence that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean ) would continue to rise above the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic as it entered its second year.

“We in Asean are no stranger to difficult times that test our capacity to act together and surmount challenges. But our enduring bonds of amity and solidarity have always pulled us through,” he said in his message on the 54th founding anniversary of Asean .

“Notwithstanding the difficulties we face as the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, I am confident that Asean will prevail as it has done so many times in the past,” he added.

“Asean will continue to rise to present challenges and lead the region with renewed sense of purpose and an even firmer commitment to the ideals of peace, freedom, and prosperity,” he went on.

Duterte also reminded the member-states to “reflect” on how far Asean has come as “one community.”

“May we always remember and value how much stronger we are together than on our own,” he said.

The union was established by the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand in 1967.

Asean N now has 10 member-states, with the inclusion of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

/ATM