Duterte to attend 38th and 39th Asean virtual summit from Oct. 26 to 28

REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will join the 38th and 39th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) via video conference from October 26 to 28, Malacañang said Monday.

“President Duterte will exchange views with his counterparts on the region’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, Asean Community Building initiatives and regional and international developments,” a statement from the Office of the President said.

The back-to-back summits with the theme “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”, will be chaired by Brunei and will be attended by leaders of the Asean member states, Non-Asean East Asia Summit (EAS) members, the Asean Secretary-General, as well as heads of the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization.

The summits are expected to adopt more than 20 outcome documents on various issues of key concern, according to the Palace.

Duterte will be joined by key cabinet members, including the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry and Social Welfare and Development, “who are responsible for the political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars of Asean cooperation.”

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