Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
May 10, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the opening and plenary session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit at the Meruorah Komodo Convention Center in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, serving as Chair of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, underscored the need for unity as the key element to maintain peace and stability in the region amid the superpower rivalries and global challenges.

“ASEAN must continue to increase efforts to strengthen economic integration, enforce inclusive cooperation, including the implementation of the RCP and strengthen the regional food security, energy resilience and financial stability. Let us work hard to realize ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” President Widodo said in his opening remarks.

In attendance from the Philippine side are House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Ambassador Hjayceelyn Quintana and DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro of the Philippine Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Leader.

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