DFA-ASEAN Conducts Briefing for NEDA Team on Alignment of ASEAN Community Vision 2025 with Ambisyon Natin 2040

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Junever M. Mahilum-West and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary Carlo Bernardo O. Abad-Santos with the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of ASEAN Affairs officials and members of the NEDA Technical Team. (DFA photo)

PASAY 05 July 2019 — The Deparatment of Foreign Affairs’s Office of Association of Southeat Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs (DFA-ASEAN) held the first Foresight Exercise on ASEAN Community Vision 2025 for 33 officials of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) led by Assistant Secretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos on 27 June 2019 at the DFA’s Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini.

The exercise marks the first step in efforts to align the Philippine Development Plan (2017-2022) and AmBisyon Natin 2040 with ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and its Blueprints.

The alignment of ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and AmBisyon Natin 2040 is an initiative of DFA-ASEAN, in cooperation with NEDA and with the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

NEDA is currently preparing its mid-term review of the Philippine Development Plan, and Assistant Secretary Abad-Santos said that the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and its corresponding Community Blueprints, as well as ASEAN’s Work Plans and declarations could provide impetus and avenues to pursue the long-term goals articulated in AmBisyon Natin 2040. He expressed the view that national agencies should incorporate ASEAN initiatives into their respective planning processes to ensure that the Philippines meets its regional commitments.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Junever M. Mahilum-West highlighted the need to enhance awareness about ASEAN and ASEAN integration in the Philippines. The DSWD, represented by Assistant Bureau Director Hannah A. Giray-Carcido spoke on the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar Blueprints. END