Ambassador Jose Lectures on Ph’s ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship at the ASEAN Commemorative Forum
Ambassador Jose Lectures on Ph’s ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship at the ASEAN Commemorative ForumAmbassador Charles Jose during his lecture-presentation on Philippines’ ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship.
10 August 2017 KUALA LUMPUR – Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles C. Jose delivered a lecture-presentation on the Philippines’ ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship at the ASEAN Commemorative Forum held at Persatuan Alumni Universiti Malaya (PAUM) Club House, Kuala Lumpur on August 8. The forum was organized by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI).
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican graced the event. Members of the academe, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rashila Ramli, Dato’ Chin Yoon Chin, Prof. Dr. K.S. Nathan, Prof. Anthony Milner also served as panelists for the Political and Security session. Government representatives, business and civil society, young leaders and university students attended Ambassador Jose’s lecture-presentation.
In his presentation entitled “ASEAN’s Political and Security Cooperation: Past Successes, Current Situation, and Future Challenges,” Philippine Ambassador Charles C. Jose shared the thematic priorities of the Philippines under the ASEAN Political Security Community – peace and stability, maritime security and ASEAN as a model of regionalism and as a global player. He also discussed the challenges in regional cooperation.
On peace and stability, Ambassador Jose stated, “The Philippines will endeavour to carry out the following priorities during its ASEAN Chairmanship “(1) Actively promote and enhance the interests and well-being of ASEAN; (2) Ensure the centrality of ASEAN; (3) Ensure an effective and timely response to urgent issues or crisis situations affecting ASEAN; (4) Represent ASEAN in strengthening and promoting closer relations with external partners.”
On maritime security and cooperation, Ambassador Jose discussed the regional efforts in addressing maritime security issues, such as the South China Sea disputes, piracy and armed robbery at sea.
On ASEAN as a model of regionalism and as a global player, the Ambassador said, “As chair, the Philippines aims to strengthen ASEAN institutions and centres across the region. The Philippines will spearhead the timely issuance of statements in UN bodies concerning pressing regional and international concerns.”
In his discussion of the challenges in regional cooperation, Ambassador Jose remains optimistic that the ASEAN Way of doing things could hurdle all these challenges. In closing, he recounted, “As we celebrate its 50th founding anniversary, ASEAN as an association and a community has encapsulated past and present successes that make it fully equipped not only to effectively respond to these challenges, but to prosper and come out stronger as a group.”
For more information, visit www.kualalumpurpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philembassykl.org.my or https://www.facebook.com/PhlembassyKL. END