President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is expected to push the country's interests, particularly in food security and the welfare of migrant workers, in the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta, Indonesia, next week.

In a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Daniel Espiritu said the President will be pursuing these topics as he joins 13 heads of state and government during the Summit, which will run from Sept. 5 to 7, 2023.

"He will highlight our advocacies in strengthening food and energy security, harnessing the potential of the digital and creative industries and MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), and addressing the impacts of climate change, among others," he said on Thursday, Aug. 31.

"The President will also continue to emphasize our efforts to protect migrant workers in crisis situations, as well as combating trafficking in persons, especially with the use or abuse of technology," he added.

The Foreign Affairs official said Marcos will also promote a rules-based international order, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), especially in the South China Sea.

"The Philippines will continue to uphold and exercise freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law," he said.

Summit discussions

According to Espiritu, the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits would follow up on the leaders' discussions during the first Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, in May this year. It would also accelerate the momentum of the ASEAN community-building process.

"It will serve as a for leaders to exchange views on key regional and international issues, build consensus on matters of mutual interest, and provide policy direction for the ASEAN community in the years to come," he said.

The 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will include meetings with several dialogue partners of ASEAN, and Marcos is expected to attend all these engagements:

• 26th ASEAN-China Summit
• 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit
• 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit
• ASEAN-US Summit
• ASEAN-Canada Summit
• 20th ASEAN-India Summit
• 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit
• 30th ASEAN-UN Summit

Marcos will also attend ASEAN-led summits like the 26th ASEAN Plus 3 and 18th East-Asia summits.

The President will likewise be present for the 43rd ASEAN Summit Plenary Session, the 43rd ASEAN Summit Retreat Session, and the opening of the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum, where leaders can discuss infrastructure projects and programs with external partners and other participants.

In these Summits, the ASEAN leaders and their external partners will discuss issues that impact the region, including the Myanmar situation, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and geopolitical rivalries in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Outcome documents

Espiritu said that over 90 documents are being targeted to be issued, adopted, or noted by the leaders during the Summit, including the ASEAN Leaders' declaration on strengthening food security and nutrition in response to crises.

Individual joint statements on strengthening food security between ASEAN, Australia, Canada, and India are also expected.

The other key documents expected from the Summit are the following:

• ASEAN guidelines on the protection of migrant workers and family members in crisis situation
• ASEAN Leaders' Statement on the development of the digital economy framework agreement
• ASEAN Joint statement on climate change to the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change