Duterte hands over Asean chairmanship to Singapore PM Lee

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President Rodrigo Duterte handed over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the culmination of the 31st Asean Summit and Related Meetings in Manila on Tuesday evening.

“As the Philippines’ chairmanship of Asean draws to a close, I reiterate my commitment that my country, as Asean chair, will remain steadfast in upholding the ideals and values we hold dear and in working for the realization of our shared aspirations,” Duterte said in his speech at the closing ceremony.

Aside from the leaders of the 10 Asean member states, leaders of the Asean dialogue partners from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, United States, Canada, European Union, and the United Nations also participated in the Summit from Monday to Tuesday.

The Asean leaders have also signed the Asean Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, tagged as a “landmark document” and the “centerpiece” of Duterte’s Asean chairmanship.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, hands over the gavel to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a transfer of ASEAN Chairmanship at the closing ceremonies of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, POOL)

“This historic governmental document is our promise to our people to strengthen social protection, access to justice, humane and fair treatment, and access to health services, among others,” the Duterte said.

The document seeks to “strengthen social protection, access to justice, humane and fair treatment, and access to health services for the migrant workers in the region.”

The signing of the consensus and the closing ceremony of the 31st Asean Summit was held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. /atm