Leaders of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area), a sub regional grouping in ASEAN, reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation guided by its Vision 2035.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his opening speech, at the Special BIMP-EAGA Summit in Cebu on Thursday, May 7, cited their commitment to cooperation, partnership, and inclusive growth in this sub-region.
“We look forward with purpose guided by the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035 and its strong alignment with the broader aspirations of ASEAN. This vision is not merely a roadmap for economic integration. It is a promise to our people that development will be meaningful, sustainable, and felt in their daily lives,” he said.
He said that the summit discussions highlight key milestone programs and projects that are already making a big difference in our communities, creating livelihoods, strengthening connectivity, and expanding opportunities, especially in the sub-region’s growth areas.
The Philippine leader noted that successes remind the group that regional cooperation delivers its greatest value when it uplifts local communities.
“Let this summit renew our resolve to translate vision into action and plans into lasting impact. Together, let us continue building a more connected, resilient, and prosperous BIMP-EAGA for present and future generations,” he said.
Established in 1994, BIMP-EAGA serves as a strategic socioeconomic initiative designed to narrow the development gap and uplift the quality of life in geographically contiguous areas of the four member nations. By leveraging shared resources and cultural ties, the initiative targets the acceleration of trade, tourism, and investment in territories that have historically been underserved.
In his opening remarks, President Marcos Jr. emphasized that the era of theoretical planning must give way to a period of “concrete, high-impact execution.” He urged the subregion to focus on tangible programs that directly benefit the grassroots level.
“Our mission is to translate our shared blueprints into livelihoods,” President Marcos Jr. stated. “We must strengthen our physical and digital connectivity to ensure that no community—no matter how remote—is left behind in our march toward a modernized, integrated economy.”
The President highlighted that all sub-regional efforts are anchored in the BIMP-EAGA Vision (BEV) 2035, a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming the area into a “Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Economically Competitive” subregion.
The Cebu Summit centers on several critical thematic areas designed to align BIMP-EAGA’s goals with the broader aspirations of the ASEAN community:
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Enhanced Connectivity: Streamlining sea and air routes to facilitate the seamless movement of goods and people across borders.
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Food Security and Agriculture: Establishing the subregion as a premier “Food Basket” through smart farming and modernized supply chains.
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Eco-Tourism: Promoting the sub-region’s diverse natural heritage through sustainable tourism practices that protect biodiversity while generating local revenue.
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Digital Transformation: Bridging the digital divide to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the global e-commerce landscape.
The special summit is expected to culminate in several bilateral agreements and the signing of a Joint Statement outlining the sub-region’s immediate priorities for the coming fiscal year.
