PH Focuses Spotlight on ASEAN at Universidad Complutense de Madrid

26 October 2017, MADRID – The Philippines shared its perspectives on prospects and challenges facing the Southeast Asian region before faculty and students of Faculdad de Filologia, Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM).

Undersecretary Manalo said the Philippines, as the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for 2017, champions positive change in the community to produce a unified voice in the world.

“The Philippines is honored to preside over ASEAN during these important milestones... ASEAN has become a model regional organization that the Philippines can proudly claim to have co-founded. We have a stake in its success,” he told a forum organized by the ASEAN Committee in Madrid, held at the sidelines of the Philippine-Spain political consultations.

The Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN officially began on 1 January 2017 with the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”.

Undersecretary Manalo shared the Philippines’ six thematic priorities as chair of ASEAN. These are: (1) a people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN; (2) peace and stability in the region; (3) maritime security and cooperation; (4) inclusive, innovation-led growth; (5) ASEAN’s resiliency; and (6) ASEAN as a model of regionalism and a global player.

As of 26 October 2017, the Philippines has completed a total of 129 out of the 142 meetings that being hosted and chaired in 2017.

Undersecretary Manalo said that for the forthcoming 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in November, preparations are underway to deliver a number of key outcome documents in areas such as radicalisation and violent extremism, cybercrime, trafficking in persons, innovation, women’s economic empowerment, innovation, trade facilitation, e-commerce, the rights of migrant workers, health, climate change, and youth development, to name some.

Undersecretary Manalo also discussed ASEANs relations with the European Union (EU) as Spain is a member of the EU.

“We have a long menu of areas of cooperation that ASEAN and the EU could sustain over many years, even decades. Concrete initiatives we carry out together could build a truly strategic relationship between our regions,” he said. END