In Phnom Penh summits to be held Nov. 10-13

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his fellow Southeast Asian leaders are set to discuss regional and global issues concerning the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), and explore possible expansion of cooperation in key areas, Malacañang said Friday.

This, after Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), confirmed Marcos’ attendance to the 40th and 41st Asean Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from Nov. 10 to 13.

“The 40th and 41st Summits and Related Summits will be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next week,” Garafil said in a pre-departure briefing.

“The Asean Summit is the highest policy-making body in Asean, comprising the heads of state or government of Asean member-states. It is held twice a year and serves as a venue for discussion and policy deliberations on various developments and global issues affecting the Southeast Asian region and beyond,” she added.

This year’s Asean summits and related meetings chaired by Cambodia carry the theme “Asean A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together.”

The theme of the 40th and 41st Summits and Related Summits emphasizes the Asean’s spirit of “togetherness” as one community and the common will to address and overcome challenges confronting the regional bloc.

The 17th East Asia Summit, The 25th Asean Plus Three Summit, and Asean Leaders’ meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres were among the high-level meetings that will be held during the four-day event, Garafil said.

“These related summits will review the existing and new areas of cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues between Asean and its dialogue partners. The dialogue partners include Australia, Canada, China, India, Republic of Korea and the USA (United States of America),”she said.

In October, the Department of Foreign Affairs said preparations are underway for Marcos’ participation in the Asean Summits and Related Summits.

This is the first time Marcos will attend the Asean event as the country’s 17th chief executive.

On the sidelines of the summits, Marcos will also meet with the Filipino community in Cambodia to discuss his administration’s plans for the country, as well as for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Garafil said.

“During the trip, the President will also meet with the Filipino community in Cambodia. He will update them on the programs and policies of his administration, especially on the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of OFWs,” she said.

The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh earlier announced that Marcos’ meeting with the Filipino community in Cambodia will be held on Nov. 13. Philippine News Agency