MANILA: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) leaders have kicked off their 30th Summit here this morning, the first of two Asean Summits in this 50th year of the regional grouping.
Philippine President Duterte, in his address at the opening ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Centre, said Asean must remain a rules-based, people-centred and people-oriented association.
“Asean must stay true and steadfast to our processes of integration, innovation, inclusivity and connectivity,” he said. “History will judge us on how we are able to help our people.”
Duterte, known for his hard-hitting approach against drug syndicates, also called on the leaders to realise a drug-free Asean, saying the drug trade is a scourge that threatens Asean’s efforts in community building.
During the Summit, the leaders will discuss the implementation of the Asean Community Vision 2025 and the way forward, external relations and future directions. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues.
They are expected to sign the Asean Declaration on the Roles of the Civil Service as a Catalyst for Achieving the Asean Community Vision 2025.
The leaders will also be meeting with representatives of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and Asean youth.
The 12th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area Summit and 10th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Summit will also be held today.
For its Asean chairmanship, the Philippines has adopted the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World” to illustrate its vision of an Asean Community that is dynamic, vibrant and prosperous for all -- acting in unity within and with its global partners.
Asean was established in Bangkok, Thailand on August 8 1967 when the five founding members -- Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand -- signed the Asean Declaration. Since then, Asean has expanded its membership with the inclusion of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.