By Brian Campued
As the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit formally opened Friday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on his fellow Southeast Asian leaders to remain united amid the cloud of uncertainty looming above the region due to geopolitical issues.
In his opening remarks, President Marcos Jr. thanked his fellow ASEAN leaders for physically attending the summit, especially as the impact of global disruptions on economies and livelihoods has become an urgent concern that calls for a unified response.
“We meet at a time of considerable challenge. Across our region and beyond, nations continue to navigate an increasingly complex global environment,” he said.
“The work of ASEAN must continue, not despite the challenges, but because the times demand our answers to those challenges, for our peoples, for our countries, for ASEAN,” he added.
The volatile situation in the Middle East specifically prompted the Philippines to adjust its ASEAN hosting this year, scaling down non-essential activities and shifting in-person meetings to online due to energy constraints.
Despite the recalibration, Marcos Jr. said ASEAN remained committed to strengthen coordination and align regional responses under Political-Security and Economic Pillars and through meetings among foreign, economic, agriculture, and energy ministers.
“We have all done what we can—individually and collectively—to ensure that even amidst uncertainty, the work of building our ASEAN Community continues,” he said.
Before closing his speech, the President reiterated this year’s theme of “Navigating Our Future, Together” as a reminder of ASEAN’s shared commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect.
“If there is one lesson ASEAN has learned over the decades, it is that difficult times do not divide us,” he said.
“For ASEAN, challenges present us with opportunities that have further strengthened our resolve to work more closely, to listen more carefully, and to act more purposefully.”
Joining Marcos Jr. for the traditional handshake were Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei; Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia; President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia; Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos; Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysian; Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore; Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand; Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste; Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng of Vietnam; and H.E. U Hau Khan Sum, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar.
During the summit, ASEAN leaders are expected to discuss energy stability, food security, and the safety of ASEAN nationals abroad.
“Aligned with the Philippines’ 3Ps: Peace and Security Anchors, Prosperity Corridors, and People Empowerment, our discussions today will chart our course as we navigate our future, together,” Marcos Jr. said.
-jpv
