By: Aliahcorr Balanon
Photo: Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Leaders from Southeast Asia gathered for the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Oct. 26 to 28.
The summit will address pressing global and regional issues, including the situation in Myanmar, economic uncertainties, and evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges.
During a palace press briefing on Friday, Oct. 24, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s participation.
DFA spokesperson Angelica C. Escalona said the gathering will bring together leaders of ASEAN member states, dialogue partners, and representatives from international organizations.
“The summit is a mechanism for leaders to provide policy direction for ASEAN, build consensus on matters of mutual interest, and exchange views on key regional and international issues,” Escalona said.
ASEAN is composed of 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Among the key agreements to be signed is the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th bloc member, the last country to become a full ASEAN member was Cambodia, which joined the bloc in April 1999.
Marcos Jr. is expected to participate in 14 leaders-level meetings and attend three signing ceremonies during the three-day summit, including the signing of the Second Protocol to amend the ASEAN trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade.
“By upgrading [to] 3.0, it will become more comprehensive and aligned to global realities. So, the cooperation between green and digital economies will continue, and this will also empower micro, small, and medium enterprises.” Escalona said.
Marcos Jr. will also attend high-level meetings such as 28th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 20th East Asia Summit, and the 5th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders’ Summit.
“What will be discussed here is the leaders’ direction in enhancing RCEP implementation and the exchange of views on regional and international issues—and this is what I got from the [Department of Trade and Industry],” Escalona said.
The RCEP is composed of 15 members: including 10 ASEAN countries, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
However, with China's participation, Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a lecturer at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) emphasizes that RCEP must carefully balance interest and uphold identity as an independent, ensuring it remains a genuine trade organization.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will turn over the chairmanship of the ASEAN to the Philippines on Oct. 28, following the bloc’s alphabetical rotation, hence, the Philippines last hosted the bloc in 2017.
“Building upon the success of previous ASEAN Chairs, the Philippines will take this opportunity to introduce how we will steer the future of the region and beyond by galvanizing community-building efforts during our chairmanship,” Escalona said.