Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday warned that escalating transnational issues pose a threat to the peace and stability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Speaking at the 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Laos, Marcos specifically highlighted unilateral actions in the East and South China Seas as among the significant risks, urging regional leaders to remain committed to addressing these challenges.
According to Philippines News Agency, the growing number of common problems across the region that are transnational in nature, including the maritime disputes, are undermining regional peace and stability. He called for maintaining mutual trust and upholding maritime security, territorial integrity, disarmament, and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons to ensure long-term stability.
Marcos further stressed that ASEAN-Japan relations continue to strengthen a rules-based Indo-Pacific Region. He praised Japan’s commitment to regional peace and security through platforms like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus. Marcos also looked forward to co-chairing the ADMM Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security for 2024 to 2027.
The ARF and ADMM Plus play critical roles in addressing security concerns across the Indo-Pacific, fostering dialogue among ASEAN members and partners such as Australia, China, India, Japan, Russia, and the United States. Marcos expressed gratitude for Japan’s support of ASEAN’s initiatives, particularly the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy.