The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must “speak with one voice” to address the challenges of the region and achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

The secretary delivered the keynote address during the Asia Society-hosted celebration of the 58th anniversary of the ASEAN at the Manila House in Bonifacio Global City, wherein she underscored the importance of unity and solidarity within the regional bloc.

“For ASEAN and its mechanisms to remain at the core of regional peace, security and prosperity, ASEAN must speak with one voice,” she said.

“As we interface with various partners and stakeholders, this single voice will allow us to continue pushing for our region’s best interests, by shaping the regional agenda with firm leadership and credibility,” the official added.

Lazaro furthered that the 10-member bloc must continue to be driven “by a sense of common purpose and the pursuit of common goals” to achieve its 2045 vision of a “resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN.”

“Whether through the ASEAN Political-Security Community, the Economic Community, or the Socio-Cultural Community, we are all working together toward the same destination, guided by the principles enshrined in the Bangkok Declaration,” she stressed.

The DFA chief also highlighted the importance of diversity, equality, inclusivity, and mutual respect among member-states.

“While our region is a tapestry of different languages, cultures, beliefs and political systems, we view these differences as a source of strength, enriching our discussions and decision-making,” she said.

“We give each member an equal voice. We continue to foster a people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN community that keeps the well-being of our almost 700 million citizens at the heart of every endeavor.”

Lazaro spoke on the theme “Strengthening Unity, Driving Prosperity” to reaffirm the ASEAN values of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” as the Philippines prepares for the chairship of the ASEAN next year.

The DFA chief also said that the Philippines is getting ready to present its priorities for its ASEAN chairmanship.

“Let us just finish the chairship of Malaysia with due respect to them and Philippines is already prepared to present our priorities, the team and everything else,” she added.

The event was attended by Ambassadors Sin Saream of Cambodia, Agus Widjojo of Indonesia, Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino of Malaysia, Makawadee Sumitmor of Thailand, and Lai Thai Binh of Vietnam.

Castelino, for his part, also recognized the geopolitical challenges in the world.

“We live in an era of shifting power balances and uncertainties. But together ASEAN Plus Three can shape a regional order that is more peaceful, resilient and more inclusive,” the ambassador, whose home country currently chairs ASEAN, said.

“Let us remember that the true strength of ASEAN, ASEAN Plus Three, ASEAN Dialogue Partners and the very, very many platforms we work in, ASEAN, does not merely lie in communiqués and statements. Communiqués and statements does not picture what ASEAN is all about entirely. It lies in our shared values for peace, cooperation and mutual respect,” he added.