Philippines Pushes for Inclusion of National Priorities in the Asean Community Vision 2045

Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso (2nd from right, 1st row) and Ambassador Luis T. Cruz (2nd from right, 2nd row), the Philippines’ Eminent Person and High-Level Representative to the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV), respectively, at the 9th Meeting of the HLTF-ACV held on 26-27 July 2023, Kuala Lumpur. (Photo from MoFA Malaysia)

KUALA LUMPUR 31 July 2023 – The Philippines advocated for the inclusion of national priorities in ASEAN at the 9th Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV) held on 26-27 July 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Chief among the priorities that were added to the draft vision by the Philippines include addressing threats to peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, in particular the South China Sea.

The Philippines likewise suggested that ASEAN continue to respond to issues that affect the country and the region such as migration, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The Philippines also called for ASEAN to drive regional economic growth and prosperity by maximizing the opportunities of the creative economy.

The Philippine Delegation to the 9th Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision

The Philippine delegation, headed by Eminent Person of the Philippines to the HLTF-ACV Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, advocated that ASEAN should empower women to participate fully and effectively in ASEAN Community-building and decision-making processes.

“These are important issues that ASEAN should continue to prioritize and be reflected in our Vision,” emphasized Ambassador Buensuceso.

The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 will be endorsed to the ASEAN Coordinating Council in September 2023. The Vision will articulate ASEAN’s aspirations for the next 20 years upon its adoption in 2025. END