ASEAN Matters Technical Board Agencies Discuss Philippine Priorities for ASEAN, Begin Work on Strategic Plans for ASEAN Community Vision 2045
Representatives from the Philippine ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillars at the 35th AMTB Meeting, held at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini, DFA. (DFA-OPCD photo)
PASAY CITY 17 January 2024 - The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of ASEAN Affairs (DFA-ASEAN) convened the 35th ASEAN Matters Technical Board (AMTB) Meeting on 12 January 2024 to discuss and exchange views on key developments in ASEAN, and to begin work on the Strategic Plans for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 (ACV 2045) as well as the Philippines' hosting of ASEAN in 2026.
A total of 74 participants from 58 partner agencies representing the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Pillars attended the Meeting.
DFA-ASEAN Assistant Secretary Daniel R. Espiritu highlighted the impact of geopolitical developments in ASEAN and the important role of ASEAN Member States and other countries in addressing regional and international issues.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provided updates on ASEAN's regional free trade agreements, external economic relations, support for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, as well as the status of the drafting of the AEC Strategic Plan. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided updates on ASEAN's support for the protection of migrant workers in crisis situations, sustainable resilience, and the status of the development of the ASCC Strategic Plan.
The Department conducted a workshop on the Strategic Plans for the ACV 2045 to familiarize agencies with the Strategic Plans' template and to demonstrate how Philippine priorities and interests could be translated in ASEAN. The Strategic Plans, to be adopted by the Leaders in 2025 with the ACV 2045, will map out ASEAN's goals and objectives for the next 20 years.
"We will get ready for the next 20 years. We will strengthen ASEAN, we will strengthen your own mechanism to be able to cope with the challenges of the next 20 years," said Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Philippine Eminent Person to the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community's Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV), at the workshop. Ambassador Luis T. Cruz, Philippine High-Level Representative to the HLTF-ACV, likewise highlighted the need to identify cross-pillar and cross-sector concerns in the Strategic Plans.
Assistant Secretary Noel P. Servigon, former Permanent Representative of the Philippine to ASEAN, presented his book entitled "ASEAN Charter: Notes and Comments". He emphasized the importance of promoting the rule of law in ASEAN.
Spearheaded by the National Secretariat, the AMTB facilitates inter-agency coordination in the formulation and implementation of Philippine policy in ASEAN. This is the first AMTB Meeting of the year. END
Director-General of the ASEAN National Secretariat and Assistant Secretary Daniel R. Espiritu of the DFA Office of ASEAN Affairs welcoming participants of the 35th AMTB Meeting. (DFA-OPCD photo)
Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso and Ambassador Luis T. Cruz orienting participants of the Workshop on the Development of the Strategic Plans for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. (DFA-OPCD photo)