MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, November 13, formally opened the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits, putting regional and international security on the main agenda.
During the opening ceremony, Duterte noted that extremism and other non-traditional security issues have no boundaries.
He added that it would “put a dent” in growth and disrupt the stability of global and regional commerce. “These and other issues are high on the agenda of our meetings along with the other non-traditional security issues that challenge the prosperity of our economies, the integrity of our institutions, and more importantly, the safety of our people,” he added.
Apart from the security issues, President Duterte announced that ASEAN member states have come to an agreement on the protection and promotion of rights of migrant workers.
“Other deliverables that will see the fruition include those concerning health, women and the youth, terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism, trafficking, poverty alleviation, food security, coastal and marine environment, and the pursuit of innovation for our economies, among others,” he added.
President Duterte also thanked ASEAN countries and dialogue partners for helping the communities affected by the Marawi crisis.
During the ASEAN Summit Plenary, President Duterte noted the efforts and the work of the sectorial bodies and organs of the Association to fully and effectively implement the ASEAN Political Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprints for 2025.
“Today, we continue our discussions on how to further consolidate our efforts and our shared aspirations toward an ASEAN Community that is truly rules-based, people-oriented, and people-centered,” he said.
“Moving forward to ensure the ASEAN’s viability, a new set of three C’s — community, centrality, and connectivity — will define the work and effort needed to ensure the success of our community-building process and our interaction with external partners,” Duterte added.
