By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was warmly welcomed by his fellow leaders during his first attendance as the head of state of the Philippines in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
ASEAN leaders from Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand recognized the presence of Marcos during the opening ceremony of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In his speech, the President said he was ‘deeply honored’ as he attended his first ASEAN Summit and witnessed how his fellow heads of state discuss on resolving and addressing various challenges in their respective countries.
“We now can stand witness to how that small group has evolved not only in number but also in political strength and economic power. We can now convene major powers and bring them to the table to discuss significant regional and international issues,” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive also discussed the ASEAN’s establishment of a free trade area and ASEAN Development Outlook forecast that will transcend the European Union by 2030 and become the fourth largest economy in the world.
Marcos said that through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, ASEAN will be able to recuperate after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President also called for camaraderie in addressing current issues affecting ASEAN and the other neighboring countries.
“In spite of our cultural, economic, and political diversity, let us enhance our solidarity as we confront the changing tides of natural disasters, health emergencies, armed conflict, and economic recessions,” Marcos said.
