Phnom Penh, Cambodia
November 12, 2022

Set to commemorate 50 years of relations in 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded the vibrant relationship between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan when he addressed his fellow ASEAN Leaders and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the 25th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

During his intervention, the President recognized Japan for its support in maritime cooperation that has been the top key priority area of cooperation identified in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, as part of the Region’s mutual interest in ensuring that any activity in the waterways adhere to the rule of law stated in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to achieve peace, stability and prosperity.

The Chief Executive conveyed the Philippines’ appreciation to Japan for its active partnership with the ASEAN in other areas of priority including COVID-19 response and recovery, disaster management, climate change mitigation and economic resilience, among others.

On a personal note, President Marcos Jr. expressed his gratitude to Japan for its hospitality to over 250,000 overseas Filipinos.

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