Undersecretary Manalo Shares PH’s Successful ASEAN Chairmanship at London Diplomatic Summit

11 December 2017 LONDON – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo spoke at the London Diplomatic Summit to share the highlights and outcomes of the Philippines’ Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

Held at the Regent University London on December 05, the event was organized by the Global Diplomatic Forum, a non-government organization based in London.

With the theme “Smart Regions: Rethinking Regionalism in the 21st Century,” Undersecretary Manalo discussed the nature and experiences of ASEAN as a regional organization and how the Philippines was able to contribute to ASEAN Community building as Chairman of ASEAN during its 50th anniversary.

Undersecretary Manalo expounded on the Philippines’ theme for its ASEAN Chairmanship – “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World” – and its six thematic priorities, namely: (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.

PH-hosted meetings resulted in significant gains for ASEAN, including the following:

• Signing by the ASEAN Leaders of the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. The instrument will allow ASEAN migrant workers to enjoy better social protection, easier access to justice and health services, and more humane and fair treatment.
• The decision of the Leaders of ASEAN and China to officially commence the negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea. They also adopted the ASEAN-China Declaration for a Decade of Coastal and Marine Environmental Protection in the South China Sea (2017-2027), which should pave the way for more cooperation to protect the environment in South China Sea.
• The signing of the ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement and ASEAN-Hong Kong Investment Agreement as a step forward to deepen regional economic integration.
• The Philippines’ hosting of the first ever Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit. At the RCEP Summit, President Duterte called on his fellow Leaders to make RCEP not only another trade agreement, but one that could provide the size and scale to unleash new growth potentials and re-write the new rules of the game in the international trade order.

ASEAN also produced outcome documents related to civil service, health and nutrition, women, youth, children, gender, environment, innovation, and promotion of a “culture of prevention” for a peaceful, inclusive, resilient, healthy and harmonious society. END