President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday stressed the importance of unity among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) amid continued violations of international laws.
In his intervention during the 50th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, Marcos called for a collective action amid the intercontinental ballistic missile tests of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North), unilateral actions in the East and South China Seas, and the worsening violence in Myanmar.
Marcos said such actions continue to threaten peace and stability in the ASEAN region.
“We cannot overemphasize that trust is the basis of peace, a trust based on deeds and not merely words, especially on a geopolitical environment increasingly characterized by disruptions, by violation to the international rule of law, as we face common yet complex challenges together,” he said.
“We cannot also discuss peace and stability in our region without recognizing the need to address the worsening violence and the plight of the people of Myanmar through pro-active engagement of all the stakeholders involved,” he added.
Marcos acknowledged that Myanmar remains a member of the ASEAN.
He said ASEAN member countries “should be ready to help in alleviating the situation through the Five Point Consensus, the United Nations Mechanism and the AHA Center, or the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management.”
Marcos acknowledged Japan’s role as a reliable partner in maritime security and cooperation as well as humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) within ASEAN mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus.
He said the Philippines is looking forward to co-chairing with Japan the ADMM Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security for 2024 to 2027.
“We trust that, through our joint efforts, we can also advance partnership on climate change, marine environmental protection, HADR, maritime security, military medicine, counterterrorism, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian mine action, and more recently, cybersecurity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marcos called on the ASEAN member countries for a continued partnership for the environment while addressing common threats to peace.
The President sought Japan’s support towards achieving carbon neutrality to reduce the effects of global warming, which will benefit disaster-prone communities, as he called for climate action in promoting biodiversity management, green technologies and circular economy and the blue economy.
He said the Philippines welcomes Japan’s initiative to hold the Asia Zero Emission Community Summit on Monday.
Marcos assured that the Philippine government is ready to support the concrete outcome of the recent 28th Session of the Conference Parties to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.
He said the Philippines is ready to support the creation of a Loss and Damage Fund and host the headquarters of the Board of the Fund.
“I wish to emphasize that natural disasters adversely affect food security. We thank Japan’s continued support through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve, projects under the ASEAN Food Security Information System promoting sustainable agriculture, as well as the ASEAN-JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Food Value Chain Development Project,” Marcos said.
“We also look forward to future cooperation towards enhancing resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems through new technologies and innovation to ensure regional food security, and the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Guidelines for Sustainable Agriculture,” he added.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday lauded the President for emphasizing resilience and sustainable agriculture and food systems through new technologies and innovation during the first session of the summit.
He noted the President’s acknowledgment of Japan’s ongoing support through the emergency rice reserve and food value chain development, emphasizing the direct benefits to Filipinos like safeguards against food shortages and price fluctuations.
“Investing in sustainable agricultural practices opens doors for job creation and economic growth in rural communities, strengthening livelihoods and improving the quality of life of our citizens,” Romualdez said. (PNA)
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