By Filane Mikee Cervantes | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday highlighted Australia’s “consistent and positive role” in ensuring peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.
“The celebration of our 50 years of relations is an eloquent testament to the consistent and positive role that Australia has played in ensuring peace and stability in our region and our immediate neighborhood: the Indo-Pacific,” Marcos said in his intervention during the 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Marcos emphasized the need to maintain momentum in these relations through continued support of maritime security and cooperation.
“We thank Australia for its consistent support for the rule of law, for the 1982 UNCLOS, and the binding 2016 Arbitral Award not only through timely statements of support, but also through capacity-building and academic initiatives to mainstream appreciation of international law,” he said.
UNCLOS is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an international convention that sets out the legal framework for the seas and the oceans.
The 2016 Arbitral Award, meanwhile, ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, pronouncing that major elements of China’s claims in Philippine waters were unlawful.
President Marcos welcomed Australia’s continued support through programs and initiatives that recognize each country’s needs to promote the economic welfare of the region.
He particularly cited the launch of the Australian Regional Trade for Development Facility, an initiative focused on supporting ASEAN member states from two regional Free Trade Agreements, particularly the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
On environmental issues, Marcos encouraged Australia to promote its developed technologies and build initiatives to reduce marine pollution, with a focus on plastic waste reduction and sustainable fisheries management.
“Pursuing these initiatives is deemed essential to safeguard marine environments shared by the ASEAN region and by Australia,” he said.
Marcos further expressed optimism for future cooperation in biodiversity and climate action, urging continued support for ASEAN Centers of Excellence, including the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change.
The President delved on health cooperation, saying the Philippines appreciates Australia’s continued support for the establishment and operationalization of the ASEAN One Health Network, as well as the implementation of the ASEAN One Health Joint Plan of Action.
Regarding ASEAN-Australia socio-cultural ties, President Marcos expressed gratitude to Australia for sustained cooperation in education, sports, arts, and cultural exchange programs through the Aus4ASEAN Scholarships, the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative, Australia Awards, and programs run by the ASEAN-Australia Council and the New Colombo Plan.
He reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to further strengthening these relations, assuring Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Manila’s “unwavering support based on our common values and principles.”
