Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28) — Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo expects to produce at least eight outcome documents after the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as part of the 30th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings.
“We look forward to the adoption of at least eight outcome documents in this session in the areas of civil service, sub-regional growth area, and air linkages,” Manalo said.
During a closed-door meeting in the Philippine International Convention Center on Friday, each foreign minister from the 10 ASEAN member countries-including Manalo-delivered opening remarks which set the agenda in preparation for Saturday’s summit.
Manalo reiterated the need for “a credible, collective and cohesive ASEAN response” in addressing the region’s various challenges.
“We hope to frame our work against this backdrop to ensure that ASEAN asserts its centrality in the evolving regional architecture, and at the same time be responsive to rapid geopolitical changes in the region and the rest of the world,” he said.
The Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is the last of a series of related gatherings before heads of state and government convene at the summit to finalize the Chairman’s statement.
The statement is expected to address pertinent issues like the South China Sea dispute.
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar is set to summarize agreements and agenda discussed in the meetings Friday afternoon.
More side events on economic development
A simultaneous side event spearheaded by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the Prosperity For All Summit, tackled issues on economic development in the region.
“We are one of the most successful regional associations in the world. And while some have criticized us for moving too slowly, we have avoided the downsides of moving too fast,” Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, a keynote speaker at the event, said.
Najib points out the need to enhance inter-ASEAN trade to avoid marginalizing other ASEAN citizens in the age of extremism and radicalization.
Najib flew in Thursday ahead of Saturday’s summit.
Vice President Leni Robredo, also a keynote speaker, noted that with 650 million ASEAN citizens and a young demographic, the region may become the fourth-largest economy by 2050.
Aside from the Foreign Minister’s Meeting and the Prosperity For All Summit, other side events that happened simultaneously included the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting and the Coordinating Council Meeting.
The day was capped off with the ASEAN Leadership Forum, where President Rodrigo Duterte delivered a prepared speech.
The Thursday meetings are part of 138 ASEAN-related meetings before Saturday, where all ASEAN heads of state and government are expected to attend-with the exception of Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
Leaders of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States are also taking part in the summit.
