SFA Locsin Calls for Greater Cooperation in Climate Change Action, COVID-19 Response, Recovery at ASEAN-UK Open-Ended Troika Meeting

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. at the Open-Ended Troika Meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and UK Foreign Secretary on 08 April 2021. (DFA-ASEAN photo)

PASAY CITY 13 April 2021 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. joined Foreign Ministers and High Representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States, the ASEAN Secretary-General and United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab at the ASEAN-UK Open-Ended Troika Dialogue on 08 April 2021 via video conference.

The meeting exchanged views on ways to enhance cooperation in tackling socio-economic challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and starting on the path to sustainable recovery, as well as advancing climate change priorities. The Foreign Ministers recognized the importance of rebuilding sustainable, green and resilient economies, as well as fostering fruitful and substantive means of cooperation between ASEAN and the UK in tackling climate change.

Secretary Locsin shared that despite initial setbacks in securing vaccine supplies for the Philippines, Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. has already secured firm commitments from suppliers for several million doses of the vaccine to be delivered in time for the subsequent phases of the Philippines’ vaccine rollout plans. Secretary Locsin also shared the progress of the Philippines’ negotiation with Russia on procuring Gamaleya vaccines.

On climate change, Secretary Locsin called for more decisive action to resolve climate change, and urged ASEAN Member States and the United Kingdom to deliver on their respective countries’ commitments to the Paris Agreement, especially on deep and drastic cuts in carbon emissions. Secretary Locsin also emphasized the connection between climate change and the prevalence of zoonotic disease outbreaks, aside from other drivers such as global warming and biodiversity degradation.

The United Kingdom, as the president of the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to be held in Glasgow, Scotland this November, plays a pivotal role in leading high-level discussions in transitioning to green and sustainable practices towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

On Myanmar, Secretary Locsin expressed the Philippines' concern over the latest developments: “We are closely following the situation, especially the recent escalation of Army action, leading to the rising number of deaths among peaceful protesters.” He urged security forces to exercise restraint and refrain from using excessive force against unarmed demonstrators, and called once more for the return to the status quo ante — the full restoration of the previously existing state of affairs in Myanmar. The Secretary also called for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.  

Member States are currently studying the United Kingdom’s application to become a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. END

Secretary Locsin joins UK Foreign Secretary Raab, Brunei Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi and other ASEAN Foreign Ministers for the Open-Ended Troika Meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and UK Foreign Secretary. (DFA-ASEAN photo)