President Marcos said that the Philippines will always promote the initiatives and projects of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with Japan to ensure a region that is inclusive and economically prosperous.

Marcos said this as he embarked on a three-day visit to Tokyo for the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit that marks the 50th year of the partnership between Japan and the regional block.

In his departure statement on Friday, Dec. 15, Marcos said he would highlight during the Summit how Japan's relationship with ASEAN evolved for the better.

"I will highlight that the ASEAN-Japan relationship has inexorably evolved and progressed over the past five decades, particularly in shared commitment towards peace and security, trade and investment, food security, climate action, energy security, supply chain resilience, infrastructure development, and now, connectivity," he said.

"I shall reassure ASEAN Member States and Japan that, as permanent country coordinator for ASEAN-Japan Economic Relations, the Philippines will always continue to shepherd ASEAN initiatives and projects with Japan not only to co-create a region of economic prosperity but also an inclusive society that is ready for the future," he added.

Preliminary ASEAN data showed that total merchandise trade between ASEAN and Japan reached US 225.9 billion in 2019, accounting for 8 percent of ASEAN’s total merchandise trade, while total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows from Japan amounted to US 20.4 billion, accounting for 12.7 percent of total FDI inflows to ASEAN.

Clean energy

Meanwhile, President Marcos said the Summit will serve as an opportunity for the Philippines to reaffirm its position on current international issues and advance its interests.

"This administration will see to it that our constructive engagements with ASEAN, our External Partners, and stakeholders, will continue to best serve our national interest, inasmuch as we promote the regional interest of peace, security, and prosperity, for the well-being of the Filipino people," he said.

In particular, the Chief Executive mentioned the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting where he said he would apprise the AZEC Partner countries of the current Philippine initiatives toward promoting a clean energy transition.

"We will highlight our experience in promoting clean energy projects such as the first wind farms in Southeast Asia in 2003 during my term as governor of Ilocos Norte," he said.

"I will thus invite AZEC Partners, Japan included, to invest in the Philippine Renewable Energy Industry to achieve not only the intention of the AZEC but also the overall goal of the Paris Agreement," he added.

Summit events

The Commemorative Summit will feature three sessions, each with a particular focus on the ASEAN-Japan framework.

The first session will take stock of Japan’s contribution to ASEAN’s community-building efforts, as well as Japan’s consistent support for ASEAN Centrality and the rules-based international order.

The second session will feature a “Heart to Heart” Partnership across Generations. According to Marcos, the ASEAN leaders would recognize Japan’s commitment and steadfast initiatives in promoting friendship and camaraderie amongst the peoples of ASEAN and Japan to include the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Program.

"I will highlight that the Philippines has a long history of cultural exchange through the JENESYS Program and has been one of its largest beneficiaries, welcoming Japan's young people while sending our own since 2007," he said.

The last summit program will be on Co-Creation of Economy and Society of the Future wherein Marcos said he would bring the Philippine economic team led by Trade Secretary Fred Pascual to participate in those talks.