Melbourne, Australia
March 6, 2024
“Through these fifty years, Australia has proven, time and again, its support for ASEAN as it continues its positive role in ensuring peace and stability in our region and our immediate neighborhood, now referred to as Indo-Pacific,” remarked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. when he delivered the Philippines’ statement at the Leaders’ Plenary during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Australia.
The President acknowledged Australia’s continued support to its neighboring countries through programs tailored to each of the nation’s needs. He welcomed Australia’s strategic approach to deepening engagement through the four (4) tracks of the Special Summit: maritime cooperation; climate and clean energy; business; and, emerging leaders.
He expressed appreciation to Australia for its consistent support for the rule of law and likewise encouraged it to continue its active engagement, both bilaterally and through the ASEAN, to ensure peace and stability through confidence building, preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution in the region.
As the Philippines — being among the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis — takes bold and decisive actions for climate justice, President Marcos Jr. reiterated the country’s offer to host the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund. This would showcase global commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that the experiences of the most affected countries are considered in shaping the most urgent global climate policies.
He also invited Australia to partner with the Philippines in its clean, green and renewable energy industry and other emerging technologies, as well as introduce energy efficiency and conservation measures.
On the business front, the Chief Executive informed his fellow Leaders that the Philippines recently signed the second protocol of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) which will benefit the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and facilitate their participation in international trade by improving access to markets, their participation in global value chains and the promotion of e-commerce.
“We certainly welcome Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, an elaborate plan that aims to broaden and deepen the economic ties between ASEAN and Australia. The economic cooperation infrastructures and web of free trade agreements that ASEAN and Australia have established over the years provide a solid foundation for this Strategy to flourish and to create a shared future that is peaceful and is prosperous,” he said, expressing optimism towards further expanding collaboration with Australia in areas such as agriculture and food security, digital economy, infrastructure, tourism and healthcare.
Concluding his message, the President commended Australia for its initiative of creating a forum for engagements of emerging leaders in government, business and civil society. He further expressed hopes for these engagements to trigger talks on issues facing the region and how these may be addressed through cooperation and partnership.
“Our emerging leaders are indeed the bedrock of the sustainability of our continued economic, social, and political progress. The above-mentioned thematic tracks will augur well towards the peace and prosperity of ASEAN and Australia, as well as the whole Indo-Pacific, and we look forward to supporting these initiatives as we usher in the next fifty years of vibrant relations,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his statement.
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