KUALA LUMPUR: As Asean chair next year, the Philippines has pledged to prioritise peace, security, prosperity and people's empowerment in the Southeast Asian region, says Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Marcos said these priorities will serve as the Philippines’ compass when it chairs Asean under the theme of “Navigating Our Future Together”.
“The Philippines will continue to fortify our peace and security anchors, strengthen our prosperity corridors and people empowerment.
“These main priorities will guide Asean towards a future where peace, prosperity, and people remain at the heart of what we say and all that we do,” said Marcos during his closing remarks at the ceremony to receive the Asean chairmanship gavel from Malaysia on Tuesday (Oct 28).
Marcos also said these priorities are to ensure that Asean’s integration agenda translates into real opportunities for businesses to grow, for communities to thrive, and for progress to be inclusive, sustainable, and shared by all.
“Next year, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, we will continue to champion peace, stability, dialogue, adherence to international law and enhance cooperation in traditional and non-traditional security issues,” he said.
Marcos also said the Philippines’ chairmanship of Asean comes at a defining moment for Asean that is marked by both promise and complexity.
“Our compass must remain constant, anchored and in cooperation. It must be oriented towards maintaining a stable and secure region, built upon a shared vision of an open, inclusive, transparent and rules-based regional architecture.
“We will continue to ensure that Asia and Asean-led mechanisms and processes remain central,” he said.
The Philippines will officially assume chairmanship of Asean from Jan 1, 2026.
