Bongbong Marcos off to Cambodia for Asean Summit

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday departed for Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to attend his first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit as the Philippines’ chief executive.

He is set to attend the 40th and and 41st Asean Summits and other related summits from Nov. 10 to 13, where, Marcos said, he will promote and protect the Philippines interests in the region.

“We will emphasize regional cooperation on maritime security, climate change, food security, health cooperation and economic recovery amongst others,” he said in his pre-departure speech.

“We will also address regional issues such as the pandemic, the situation in Myanmar, developments in the South China Sea and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine among other important matters,” Marcos added.

Marcos said he will also attend other summits with Asean’s dialogue partners, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, India, Republic of Korean and the United States, where nations will review existing and new areas of cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues.

He said he would also have bilateral meetings with some heads of state, seeking “further cooperation in key priorities” of his administration and exploring ways to unite in addressing the most pressing issues in the region.

Meeting Pinoy community in Cambodia

The President said he also looks forward to meeting the Filipino community in Cambodia.

“I think this is going to be a very very good opportunity for us to forge new partnerships and to strengthen those that have already existed for a very long time,” he said.

“We will promote the Philippines not only as an investment center, not only as a tourism center but as a global partner for Asean member nations and for all our friends around the world who will be joining the Asean conference,” Marcos added.

gsg/abc