Phnom Penh, Cambodia
November 11, 2022

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders held the ASEAN-United Nations (UN) Summit with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

ASEAN Chair and Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia expressed the Region’s need to address “the existential threats from climate change, push for progress and sustainable development, and promote human development.”

For his part, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to collaborate with the UN in responding to the challenges brought about by the worsening climate change situation around the world.

He called for the maintenance of international peace and stability as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes. Furthermore, he highlighted the country’s commitment to the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda that inspired the launching of the Philippines’ National Action Plan (NAP) on youth, peace and security — the first in Asia — to let the voice of the youth be heard.

The President reiterated the intention of the Philippines to enhance its role in peacekeeping operations, especially in the Middle East where there is a large number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

He also conveyed his appreciation to the UN for its assistance to the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic through its COVAX facility and expressed his hopes that cooperation between the two will continue towards recovery from the dreaded virus.

The Philippines is one of the United Nation’s founding members.

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