President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and fellow leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) member countries gather for a traditional group photo Wednesday afternoon at the Jakarta Convention Center for 11th ASEAN-US Summit, one of the activities lined up on the 2nd day of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits hosted by Indonesia. US Vice President Kamala Harris led the US delegation. (Photo from PCO)
JAKARTA, Indonesia — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. left Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday evening after the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit came to a close.
While the theme of this year’s event was “Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” peace and security were the key topics for discussion and meetings among heads of state.
This year’s Summit ends as the territorial row in South China Sea escalates.
On his first day in Jakarta during the retreat session, Marcos delivered a strong message: The conflict in South China Sea must not be reduced to a power struggle between major global players.
In a forum with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the President asserted Philippines’ territorial sovereignty over West Philippine Sea.
He cited United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as basis.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Marcos was able to hold bilateral meetings with different Asean leaders.
He also had conversations with United States Vice President Kamala Harris and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Marcos brought home investment pledges from Indonesian business leaders amounting to at least $22 million dollars.
He also discussed a possible five-year rice trade with Vietnam.
The President also announced Philippines’ chairmanship of the 2026 Asean Summit.
Marcos was accompanied by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Presidential son and Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and some members of the cabinet.
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