Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will push for a greater Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) unity and deeper economic integration within ASEAN and other countries in the region when Southeast Asian leaders meet in Manila this week.
As the chair of the 10-member ASEAN, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Philippines hopes to set the tone for the next 50 years of ASEAN's future.
"Now, more than ever, it is important to realize that our destiny lies in ASEAN and (in the Asia) Pacific region. I put forward our initiatives and priorities for a stronger ASEAN," Duterte said recently.
In his speech in Davao City in January, Duterte stressed the need to maintain regional peace and stability, and called for renewed constructive engagement with ASEAN dialogue partners.
UNITY, COOPERATION CRUCIAL TO BLOC'S COLLECTIVE SUCCESS
Duterte said that unity and cooperation, which have defined ASEAN over the last five decades, will be crucial to the bloc's collective success as a community. "We are committed to the building of a strong and resilient ASEAN community," he said.
"We must continue working on a bigger, more open and rules-based market for business and trade to thrive," he added. "We must forge on with increased people-to-people interaction through commerce, travel and education. We must strive for a region that promotes and maintains peace, security and stability."
This year, he said, the focus will be to work for regional peace and stability, pursue maritime security and cooperation, advance inclusive, innovation-led growth, strengthen ASEAN resiliency, and promote ASEAN as a model of regionalism and as a global player.
Acting Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo stressed the need to have peace and stability to attain ASEAN's core goals of economic development and community-making.
"Our goal is to advance common interests, all aligned towards the realization of a truly rules-based, people-oriented, people-centered community," Manalo said.
The ASEAN leaders will discuss issues that would promote peace, security and stability in the ASEAN region," he said.
"We will reassert ASEAN centrality," Manalo said, adding that Duterte "will raise issues which would support or enhance greater ASEAN centrality and involvement in regional issues and promote ASEAN unity."
ASEAN needs to have regional centrality and solidarity to ensure the region's continued peace and prosperity. Although ASEAN has outlasted regional crises, analysts say tensions and challenges continue to test its solidarity and resolve.
