Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 9) — Global issues, including developments in the South China Sea, will be tackled when world leaders get together for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this week, said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Marcos, who flew to Cambodia on Wednesday to attend his first ASEAN summit as chief executive, vowed to “promote and protect” the country’s interests during the discussions.
“We will emphasize regional cooperation on maritime security, climate change, food security, health cooperation, and economic recovery,” Marcos said during his pre-departure speech.
“We will also address regional issues such as the pandemic and the situation in Myanmar, developments in the South China Sea, and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, among other important matters,” he added.
The 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits will take place in the capital Phnom Penh from Nov. 10 to 13.
The president also noted that he will be holding bilateral talks with some of his counterparts in a bid to strengthen the countries’ areas of cooperation.
“I will seek further cooperation in key priorities of my administration as well as how to explore what we can do to come together to address the most pressing issues of the region,” he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said Marcos is expected to speak with the leaders of Cambodia and South Korea on the ASEAN sidelines.
