President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, November 14, turned over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, following the Philippines successful hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.
“It was an honor having fruitful and productive exchanges with you on issues of regional and global importance which we hope to translate into concrete actions that would benefit the peoples of our region,” President Duterte said in his speech.
President Duterte handed over the gavel, which symbolizes the ASEAN Chairmanship, to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the closing ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings here.
The Chief Executive said that the Philippines has already adopted and noted a number of declarations, statements, and action plans across the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, and on ASEAN’s relations with Dialogue Partners.
President Duterte also reiterated his commitment that the Philippines will remain steadfast in upholding the ideals and values that the ASEAN holds dear and in working for the realization of the shared aspirations with other nations.
“We remain committed to building a strong and resilient ASEAN Community. Our next 50 years will require deeper efforts on the next 3Cs: Community, Centrality, and Connectivity if we are to realize our ASEAN Vision by year 2025,” he said.
The President also thanked the ASEAN Member States, various stakeholders, and the international community, in celebrating with the Philippines for becoming one of the most successful regional organizations in the world.
“It has been an utmost pleasure and honor for the Philippines to have hosted you and your delegations throughout the year in various meetings, activities, and events. We hope that you have taken with you the warmth of Filipino hospitality and the genuine care and affection that we give to our guests,” Duterte said.
“The Philippines will be there with you and will be working with you, with other ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners, and external parties in moving ASEAN community towards building forward,” he added.
Following the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN this year, President Duterte said the country will be hosting the 51st Asian Development Bank Annual Meeting in May 2018 to enhance economic linkages in the region and beyond.
ASEAN Consensus on the Protection of Migrant Workers’ rights, protection signed
Before the end of the Summit, the ASEAN leaders formally signed the agreement on the protection of migrant workers’ rights.
The signing ceremony for the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers was held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
President Rodrigo Duterte presented to ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh the adopted consensus document.
“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,” he said. (PND)
