President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the Philippine Business Opportunities Forum held in Palace Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, February 10, 2023. INQUIRER.net/Gabriel Pabico Lalu
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to go to Indonesia for the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday.
This trip is on May 10, days after his working visit to the United States on April 30 to May 4, and then his attendance at the coronation of King Charles III on May 6 in London, United Kingdom.
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“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with leaders of Asean member states, will participate in the 42nd Asean Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, from 10 to 11 May 2023 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency President Joko Widodo, as this year’s Asean Chair,” said DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza in a press briefing.
This year’s theme for the Summit is “Asean matters, epicenter of growth,” said Daza.
Key leaders of the Asean are expected to discuss key regional issues and build consensus on matters of mutual interest. They will also tackle policy directions and community-building efforts in the Asean, added Daza.
On top of these discussions, Marcos and other leaders will also speak about the inclusion of Timor-Leste in the Asean.
“The Asean leaders are expected to adopt the roadmap on Timor-Leste’s full [membership] into ASEAN in the Asean summit,” she said.