Marcos welcomed by Anwar Ibrahim in ASEAN Summit

KUALA LUMPUR — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday morning attended the welcome ceremony for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summit.

Marcos was welcomed by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysia is this year’s host of the Summit and Related Summits.

The Philippine leader is expected to engage other ASEAN heads of state in tackling regional and global challenges, such as developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, maritime security, climate change, economic volatility, and digital disruption.

Marcos will also attend the 16th Brunei, Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, which he will chair; the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit; and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.

The President will also hold bilateral meetings with Vietnam, Kuwait, and Lao PDR; as well as in various leaders' engagements.

This year's ASEAN Summit has the theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability,” which highlights the region's shared commitment to progress and resilience.

As he welcomed ASEAN heads of states, Anwar thanked them for showcasing the spirit of centrality and the fraternity among ASEAN member states as they come together to forge a common front in dealing with challenges, including unilateral tariffs in the United States.

''I strongly believe in the fortitude and staying power of ASEAN to withstand the headwinds and weather the storms of the challenges and uncertainties facing us,'' Anwar said.

Meanwhile, Anwar also disclosed that he wrote to US President Donald Trump to organize a US-ASEAN meeting in the spirit of centrality.

''It speaks not only to our aspirations but to our obligations. It is anchored in the conviction that ASEAN's future must rest on the twin pillars of equitable, sustainable growth and enduring resilience,'' Anwar said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News