President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined fellow leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday for a productive series of high-level diplomatic meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reinforcing the bloc’s critical partnerships with India and Japan and advancing its commitment to a low-carbon future.
The day’s engagements began with the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC), where President Marcos Jr., in his capacity as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, delivered the regional bloc’s common statement, followed by the Philippines’ national statement. The summit focused on initiatives to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India, recognizing it as one of ASEAN’s most committed Dialogue Partners.
Continuing his participation in the related summits, President Marcos Jr. joined the ASEAN Leaders for the 3rd Asia-Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting. The AZEC platform, officially launched in 2023, is dedicated to accelerating the region’s move toward a low-carbon future and reaching net-zero emissions. The meeting emphasized collaboration among participating countries to promote decarbonization through practical and shared solutions, aligning regional efforts with global climate targets.
Later, President Marcos Jr. and the ASEAN Leaders convened for the 28th ASEAN-Japan Summit alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. This marked the regional bloc’s first meeting with Japan’s first-ever female Prime Minister following her historic election. The Summit agenda focused on ways to further enhance shared achievements, foster new horizons of cooperation, and reaffirm the values of friendship and solidarity established over more than five decades of dialogue relations. Since their formalization in 1977, significant progress has been achieved in cooperation across political-security, economic-finance, and socio-cultural ties.
The successful conclusion of these high-level summits underscores ASEAN’s dedication to strengthening its strategic alliances and commitment to regional sustainability and economic prosperity.
