ASEAN Matters Technical Board Agencies Firm Up Philippine Priorities in ASEAN

Representatives from the Philippine ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillars at the 34th AMTB Meeting, held at Diamond Hotel, Manila. (DFA-OPCD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)

MANILA 07 March 2023 – The Office of ASEAN Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs convened the 34th ASEAN Matters Technical Board (AMTB) Meeting on 3 March 2023 to discuss and strengthen Philippine priorities in ASEAN.

Over 80 participants from 39 partner agencies representing the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillars attended the Meeting. This is the first AMTB Meeting of the year.

Assistant Secretary Daniel R. Espiritu, Director-General of the ASEAN-Philippines National Secretariat, welcomed the participants together with Department of Social and Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary and the Philippines’ Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) Leader, Adonis P. Sulit. 

The Office of ASEAN Affairs briefed the meeting on political-security developments and external relations of ASEAN, while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and DSWD provided updates on ASEAN economic and socio-cultural developments. 

The AMTB reviewed existing and new national priorities and interests in ASEAN, including Philippine priorities with Dialogue partners in the three (3) Community pillars. Preparations for the upcoming 42nd ASEAN Summit, as well as regional and international issues such as the situation in Myanmar and Timor-Leste’s accession as a member of ASEAN, were also discussed.

Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, the new Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN and Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Philippine Eminent Person to the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision likewise delivered key messages and shared updates on the upcoming work of the Committee of the Permanent Representatives and the HLTF, respectively. 

The AMTB facilitates inter-agency coordination in the formulation and implementation of Philippine policy towards enhancing relations with ASEAN. 

“Our objective here is not just to read out our positions but to further refine these positions through exchange of ideas, notes, and clarifications on our policy decisions,” said Assistant Secretary Espiritu. 

Spearheaded by the National Secretariat, the AMTB meets regularly to discuss developments in ASEAN and preparations for ASEAN Summits. END

The AEC, ASCC, and APSC pillars held separate breakout sessions to discuss national priorities and cross-pillar issues in ASEAN. (DFA-OPCD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)