President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed his belief for the need to create conditions for diplomatic solution against peace and security threats globally.
In his intervention during the 18th East Asia (EAS) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Marcos also called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), or North Korea “to fully comply with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions towards the realization of lasting peace and stability in a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.”
He said the Philippines also “firmly believes that it is now necessary to create conditions for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine.”
“We call on all countries to play a constructive role in contributing to this endeavor, particularly our partners,” he said, citing concerns regarding the “buildup of rising powers in global weapon stockpiles,” that presents “undue dangers to global peace and security.”
The event was attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol, US Vice President Kamala Harris, among others.
Marcos reiterated the Philippines’ support to the UN Charter as well as the complete implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, which is the regional bloc’s way to help address the continued violence in Myanmar.
“We maintain that endeavors by other parties to address the crisis should support and complement ASEAN’s efforts, and should be done in consultation with the ASEAN Chair,” he said.
Marcos, in his intervention at the 13th ASEAN-UN Summit earlier, maintained the country’s commitment to rules-based international order and called on his counterparts to heed international laws.
“The Philippines reiterates its steadfast commitment to a rules-based international order. We call on the members of the international community to respect and uphold the principles of international law to address the challenges to peace, stability, and security,” he said.
He told UN Secretary General António Guterres that ASEAN has always followed the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Marcos also encouraged the international community “to adhere to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and a rules-based international order.”
He also expressed appreciation for the UN’s aid in the country’s move towards building disaster and climate-resilient communities and assured the government’s commitment to the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Joint Strategic Plan of Action on Disaster Management for 2021-2025.
The ASEAN-UN partnership, he said, will further strengthen through the UN’s “Our Common Agenda,” a new roadmap and social contract for global cooperation for the next 25 years.
“While ASEAN provides insights into regional dynamics and challenges, the UN has the global reach and expertise in various other fields. By continuing to work together, our organizations are able to leverage our strengths and expertise to achieve common goals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marcos, in his intervention at the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit during the day expressed gratitude for Australia’s move to back the Philippines’ stance on the South China Sea row and for its various aid to the government in terms of education, defense, health and digital transformation.
“I welcome Australia’s active engagement in maritime-related issues and concerns in the region,” he said.
He also thanked Australia for lending its support to the 12th ASEAN Maritime Forum and the 10th Expanded Maritime Forum held in Manila last December.
The two countries were also part of the 1st ALON war games in Zambales last month.
The exercise aims to further improve the capabilities of the Marine Amphibious Ready Unit and bolster the Philippines’ coastal defense capabilities through the help of the US and Australia.
Marcos also cited Australia’s aid to the project-based Community Medical Deployment / Medical Aid Provision Initiative under ASEAN’s Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus Experts’ Working Group on Military Medicine.
“We especially welcome the adoption of the ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Cooperation on Food Security in Times of Crises as food security and nutrition during crises are a common concern shared by all ASEAN Member States,” he said.
He is also optimistic about the result of the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), noting that this will open more opportunities to improve the flow of goods, services and investments between the region and Australia. (PNA)
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