33rd AMTB Meeting Highlights Philippine Priorities in ASEAN
ASEAN Matters Technical Board (AMTB) Agencies meet in-person two years after the outbreak of the pandemic to discuss the Philippines’ political, economic, and socio-cultural priorities in ASEAN. (Photos by DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
MANILA 04 May 2022 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) convened the ASEAN Matters Technical Board (AMTB) on 29 April 2022 at the Citadines Bay City Manila, Pasay City, to discuss Philippine priorities and interests in ASEAN and share developments under the three ASEAN Community Pillars.
Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Daniel R. Espiritu, who chaired the meeting, welcomed 104 participants from 51 agencies, including Assistant Secretary Allan Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Assistant Secretary Noel Macalalad of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The DFA Office of ASEAN Affairs briefed the meeting on political-security developments and external relations of ASEAN, while DTI and DSWD delivered presentations on ASEAN economic and socio-cultural issues, respectively.
"Our previous AMTB Meetings were very fruitful and productive even in their virtual format, and now that we are meeting in-person, we are sure this will enhance the effectiveness of our interactive discussions," said Assistant Secretary Espiritu.
The Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ambassador Noel Servigon and Philippine Eminent Person to the High Level Task Force (HLTF) on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, also delivered keynote messages. Ambassador Buensuceso briefed the meeting on the highlights of the first HLTF meeting in Jakarta recently, including the HLTF’s work on charting the future directions of ASEAN.
Through productive per-pillar brainstorming sessions, the meeting was able to produce inputs to the initial matrix of Philippine priorities for the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision.
This is the 33rd AMTB Meeting organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the first one to be held in-person after a two-year disruption caused by COVID-19. END
From left to right: DFA Assistant Secretary Daniel R. Espiritu, DTI Assistant Secretary Allan B. Gepty, and DSWD Assistant Secretary Noel N. Macalalad delivered presentations during the 33rd AMTB Meeting held on 29 April 2022 at the Citadines Bay City Manila. (Photos by DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
From left to right: Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso and Ambassador Noel Servigon graced the 33rd AMTB Meeting on 29 April 2022. (Photos by DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
From top to bottom: The AEC, ASCC, and APSC pillars held separate breakout sessions to discuss the Philippines’ priorities for the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision. (Photos by DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)