National Convention Centre, Vientiane, Lao PDR
5 November 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III participated in the first Plenary Session of the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9) being held at the National Convention Centre in the nation’s capital of Vientiane.

In the session, three agenda items were discussed – Agenda Item 1 on “Adoption of Agenda,” Agenda Item 2 on “Business Arrangements,” and Agenda Item 3 on “Economic and Financial Issues.”

Under the issue-based leadership approach, the Philippines chose the following issue-areas as its priority agenda in ASEM – migration, interfaith dialogue, and energy security. A new Philippine initiative on disaster management will also be announced at the summit.

In the past 14 years, ASEM has enabled the Philippines to engage in substantial political dialogue with Asian and European countries and promote initiatives that have furthered the country’s interests.

Last year, the Philippines organized two major ASEM conferences on Interfaith Dialogue and Harmonization of Biofuels Standards and Application to Vehicle Technologies. The President is expected to present a report on the successful conduct of these ASEM initiatives.

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