Marcos to Asean: Boost external ties, uphold rules-based int’l order

(L-R) Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Aung Kyaw Moe, Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Mamet, Indonesia’s Vice Prime Minister Ma’ruf Amin and East Timor’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao pose on stage during the 44th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane on October 9, 2024. Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged his fellow Southeast Asian leaders to improve the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) relations with external partners and uphold rules-based international order.

In his speech during the 44th Asean Summit in Laos, Marcos stressed the importance of boosting connectivity and resilience in the region to ensure its preparedness for emerging challenges and future shocks.

“As we chart the path forward for our region, let us harness to the fullest the strength of our external relationships, which play a pivotal role in enriching Asean Community-building,” Marcos said.

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“We will continuously strengthen our engagement with our external partners to reinforce Asean Centrality, promote mutual trust, and to uphold a rules-based international order that safeguards peace, stability, security, and prosperity for all,” he added.

Marcos also cited the need for Asean members to work together in promoting the digital economy, food security, tourism, women empowerment, and gender equality.

He said the regional bloc should lay the groundwork for a “safe and trusted” digital environment, stressing that digital economy is one of the significant catalysts for connectivity in Asean.

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He said digitalization can usher in a new era of innovation, growth, and opportunity.

“With the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) poised to boost our region’s digital economy to USD2 trillion by 2030, it is critical that we invest in robust cybersecurity protections, equip our people with digital skills, and build the digital infrastructure necessary to secure Asean’s path to becoming the fourth largest economy in the world,” Marcos said.

Marcos also stressed the need to address financing gaps, support digitalization, and enhance the capacities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to integrate them into global value chains and become key drivers of regional growth.

This, as he acknowledged that there are over 70 million MSMEs across Asean, accounting for up to 99 percent of all businesses in the region.

Marcos also called on Asean member-states to adopt sustainable agricultural practices to optimize the region’s food systems, amid the persistent challenges to food security caused by supply chain disruptions, economic shocks, and the increasing intensity of extreme weather events.

He said Southeast Asian leaders must back initiatives that empower and support farming communities and leverage agricultural technological innovations.

He also urged the regional bloc to work together to mitigate the effects of climate change, which he considered as the “biggest threat to humanity and the future of Asean.”

“Our region remains one of the most vulnerable to climate change, and our resilience will continue to be tested by this perennial challenge,” Marcos said.

“Asean must likewise focus on the intersection of climate change and biodiversity. Protecting our rich biodiversity is essential to maintaining the ecosystems that support all of our life. To this end, the Philippines has increased its funding of the Asean Center for Biodiversity by 25 percent this year, in order to support efforts on the conservation and management of the region’s biological diversity,” he added.

Marcos also emphasized the Philippines’ hosting of the Loss and Damage Fund and the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, saying the country would focus more on the Asia-Pacific region, where many countries struggle with limited resources in responding to the effects of climate change.

Marcos said the Philippines is also advancing the Asean regional tourism action plans to promote the region’s rich culture and heritage, as well as inclusive and sustainable tourism across the region.

He also shared the Philippine government’s efforts in promoting women empowerment and gender equality, as he recognized women’s significant role in Asean community-building, especially in peacebuilding initiatives.

“Women’s unique perspectives and experiences are critical to building a just and lasting peace,” Marcos said.

“The Philippines is hosting an International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security in Manila this October. In line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the Philippines seeks to advance efforts that would ensure that women are at the forefront of peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.”