(Eagle News) – Leaders who will attend the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Singapore from April 27 to 28, 2018 are expected to discuss transnational and transboundary issues such as terrorism, violent extremism, among others.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Helen Dela Vega said in a press briefing on Friday, April 20, that apart from these, the leaders, including President Rodrigo Duterte, will talk about ways to address trafficking in persons, illicit drugs and disaster management and regional and global issues that impact on the peace and security of the region.
With the theme “A Resilient and Innovative ASEAN,” she said, the summit will also tackle three “outcome documents” being promoted and worked out by Singapore, which holds this year’s ASEAN chairmanship.
These include the ASEAN leaders vision on “resiliency and innovation” which focuses on ways to make use of innovation and technology in improving ASEAN communities, a “concept note on smart cities network” which involves smart and sustainable urban development and on “cybersecurity issues” where member-states look forward to better coordination on cyber policy and capacity building measures.
The summit will also focus on current developments that now pose a challenge to economic integration and the promotion of a free, fair, and rules-based trading regime.
The President “would address issues that are close to his heart, especially matters that affect the well-being of the peoples of our region,” Dela Vega said.
She said he would “work with other leaders in putting and imprint towards the realization of ASEAN vision 2025 by identifying and prioritizing initiatives that will move forward action lines in the political security, economic, and socio-cultural communities.”
The President also looks forward to having a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Lee Shien Loong to discuss relevant issues and to express continued support for Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship, and to meeting more than 180, 000 Filipinos in the country, Dela Vega said.
