Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
December 15, 2023

“This last ASEAN-related Summit for the year presents an opportunity to once again affirm the Philippines’ position on current international issues and advance Philippine interests,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in his departure statement at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City as he is set to join fellow leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo.

The Commemorative Summit is comprised of three (3) sessions within the ASEAN-Japan framework. The first session is anchored in assessing Japan’s contribution to ASEAN’s community-building efforts and its consistent support for ASEAN Centrality and the rules-based international order.

The second session, titled “Heart to Heart” Partnership across Generations, aims to recognize Japan’s commitment and support for initiatives that foster friendship and camaraderie between ASEAN and Japan. President Marcos Jr. emphasized the Philippines’ long history of cultural exchange through the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Program, citing its positive impact since 2007.

The final session will engage the Philippine Economic Team as it focuses on the Co-Creation of Economy and Society of the Future.

Moreover, the Chief Executive underscored the evolving ASEAN-Japan relationship, particularly in areas such as peace and security, trade and investment, food security, climate action, energy security, supply chain resilience, infrastructure development and connectivity.

“This Administration will see to it that our constructive engagements with ASEAN will continue to best serve our national interest for the well-being of the Filipino people,” President Marcos Jr. ended his speech.

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