Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 15) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left for Tokyo on Friday with members of his economic team to attend the commemorative summit on the 50th year of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan cooperation.
In his pre-departure speech, Marcos said this year’s last ASEAN-related meeting presents an opportunity for him to affirm the country’s position on international issues and advance its interests.
He added that he plans to convince other Asian leaders to invest in the country’s renewable energy industry, particularly members of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), which will hold a meeting on the heels of the summit.
The president said this is in line with the goals of AZEC and the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on tackling climate change.
“I will apprise the AZEC partner countries of the current Philippine initiatives towards promoting a clean energy transition,” he said. “We will highlight our experience in promoting clean energy projects, such as the first wind farm in Southeast Asia in 2003 during my term as governor of Ilocos Norte.\”
Marcos also said he will assure ASEAN members and Japan that the Philippines will continue to shepherd initiatives “not only to co-create a region of economic prosperity but also an inclusive society that is ready for the future.”
