PBBM in Saudi for ASEAN-Gulf summit
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said he will push for the country’s various interests such as energy and food security and the protection of the rights of Filipino workers during his visit to Saudi Arabia where he is also set to attend the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council (ASEAN-GCC) Summit.
The President left yesterday morning for Riyadh and arrived at 12:54 p.m. (5:54 p.m. in Manila). Vice President Sara Duterte is head of the caretaker committee while the President is abroad.
Marcos’ first activity was a roundtable meeting with Saudi Arabian business leaders who he intends to invite to invest in the Philippines. He is expected to present the Maharlika Investment Fund during the meeting.
The President, in his pre-departure speech, said that during the ASEAN-GCC Summit today, he will meet with ASEAN and Gulf Cooperation Council Leaders to discuss the “challenges of major geopolitical developments and the comprehensive and concrete enhancement of our security, our economic progress, and socio-cultural collaboration after more than thirty years of ASEAN-GCC relations.”
Marcos said the summit is important as it is the first interaction between ASEAN and the GCC, which are enjoying vibrant economic developments.
“It gives us, the Philippines, a unique opportunity to advance our priorities in ASEAN under the ASEAN-GCC framework, while forging closer cooperation between the two dynamic regional organizations. This summit will serve as an important platform for the Philippines to highlight the need for cooperation in energy and food security, logistics, supply chains, digital [transformation], the free flow of goods, people, and services; as well as the enhancement and protection of the rights, of course, of our overseas workers,” he added.
The President said he would also use the event to emphasize the Philippines’ advocacy for a rules-based international order to maintain peace and security, stability in our regions.
“We will see to it that our constructive engagement with ASEAN and our partners will continue to serve our national interest and the well-being of the Filipino people,” Marcos added.
The GCG, which is composed of
