By Caesar Vallejos
Eagle News Service
(Eagle News) — In his opening statement at the Plenary Session of the 30th ASEAN Summit, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized the collective spirit that has defined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the last five decades but quick to stress to the heads of the 10-member regional bloc that “work is far from complete”.
“Unity, solidarity, and cooperation have defined ASEAN over the last five decades and these have been crucial to our collective success,” President Duterte said.
“Guided by our chairmanship’s theme, ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,’ we gather today with the desire to move forward together, dedicated in our work towards genuine transformation that will benefit all our people” he said.
“Faced with greater challenge and expectations, we are full of hope that we will rise to the occasion and emerge politically and economically stronger,” he added.
He specially cited the membership of Brunei Darussalam in the ASEAN in 1984.
“His Majesty is a living witness to our collective success and has seen ASEAN’s development and the Association’s highs and lows. When his Majesty speaks, ASEAN is all ears to his advice and judgement,” Duterte said.
The Plenary Session will have the leaders discuss the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the way forward.
Media members were asked to leave the Plenary Session immediately after the President’s opening statement.
