LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has highlighted the Filipino youth's initiative on climate change and disaster resiliency before the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits here on Wednesday, May 9.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Ver Noveno)

In his intervention during the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, Marcos said the efforts of the Filipino youth should be replicated throughout all of ASEAN.

He said one of the initiatives is leading the declaration of the annual ASEAN Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience Day held on November 25 to promote awareness and provoke positive action among the youth to address climate change and galvanize disaster risk reduction efforts.

"Since 2018, the Philippines, with the support of various partners and stakeholders, has ensured the conduct of annual celebrations and involvement of youth leaders from all ASEAN Member States in the activities," Marcos said.

The President said Southeast Asia would remain the "epicentrum of growth" if it continues to empower its young people. He emphasized the region's future lies in its ability to develop its young population.

"It is clear again that the future of ASEAN lies in our ability to support the youth in attaining their full potential. And this we must do by providing the skills and motivation to be ready for this future," Marcos said.

"We must always put front and center all the issues that we face or that our young people face and that our country faces the consequence of time," he added.

According to the President, the region has to be future-ready to make it competitive globally, highlighting the exponential growth of the digital realm, the world's increasing dependence on digital tools, and the rising global demand for innovative products and services.

Marcos also pointed out that ASEAN must take immediate action to prepare its youth to seize opportunities in the digital and creative economies.

"We must ensure that they are well equipped to not only compete globally, but also to develop expertise, forge linkages, and establish leadership in these fields … strengthening youth people-to-people exchanges to facilitate the free flow of ideas and the transfer of skills is critical," he said.

At the same time, the President said the youth could address other pressing challenges such as climate change, environment and biodiversity, peace and security, education, and traditional and social media.