CEBU, May 8 — ASEAN has proven over the decades that challenging times do not weaken the regional bloc but instead strengthen its resolve to work more closely together, said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Marcos, who is also ASEAN Chair this year, said in his opening remarks at the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings here today that such challenges have also helped the bloc listen more carefully and act more purposefully.
“If there is one lesson ASEAN has learned over the decades, it is that difficult times do not divide us,” he said, adding that the summit gathering is evidence of that commitment.
The Philippines assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship from Malaysia on January 1, 2026, with the theme ‘Navigating Our Future, Together’, steering ASEAN’s priorities through three pillars: Peace and Security Anchors, Prosperity Corridors and People Empowerment.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is among the 11 ASEAN leaders attending the summit.
Marcos said engagement and partnership are crucial during challenging times, stressing that ASEAN’s strength lies in unity rather than uniformity.
“As we begin our work today, let our discussions be guided by wisdom, openness and our enduring commitment to one another,” he said.
On the West Asia conflict, Marcos said the volatile situation has impacted the region, posing challenges that threaten the lifestyles, livelihoods and minds of the people.
“Over the past months, each of our countries has had to make adjustments to modify our approaches. So, we come together now to study those adjustments, to find the best approaches, to face the future together,” he said.
Marcos said the Philippines had made the difficult decision to recalibrate its ASEAN chairmanship arrangements in response to the West Asia conflict through the scaling down of non-essential activities and shifting applicable meetings from physical to virtual platforms.
He said the archipelagic nation strives to remain responsive to the needs of the ASEAN community and focuses on fulfilling its chairmanship goals.
“The work of ASEAN must continue, not despite the challenges, but because the times demand our answers to those challenges for our peoples, for our countries, for ASEAN,” he said.
