NONTHABURI, Thailand — Pushing for greater peace, security, and prosperity in the Asia Pacific will be part of President Duterte’s agenda when he attends the regional summit here.

The President arrived in Bangkok on Friday evening to join other leaders for the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and related meetings from November 2 to 4. This is the President’s fourth visit to Thailand since he assumed office in 2019.

Among the topics to be discussed during the ASEAN meetings are the South China Sea conflict, trade issues, marine pollution, terrorism and other security concerns.

“The President will join other Leaders from ASEAN and Dialogue Partners to advance ASEAN’s community-building agenda aimed at ensuring greater peace, security, and prosperity in the Asia Pacific,” a Palace statement on the President’s Thailand visit read.

“In line with the theme ‘Advancing Partnerships for Sustainability,’ the President and his regional counterparts will explore ways to further promote inclusive and sustainable development and address the challenges posed by climate change, marine pollution, and other environmental issues,” it added.

The ASEAN leaders are also expected to “exchange views on pressing issues such as trade tensions, geopolitical shifts, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” the Palace said.

The developments in the South China Sea and security concerns such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes will also be addressed during the regional’s summit, it added.

The Palace said the ASEAN leaders are expected to hold summits with dialogue partners such as China, India, the United States, Japan, and the United Nations “to examine the current status and future direction of dialogue partnerships.”

At the ASEAN summit with Japan, China and Korea, the President and fellow leaders are expected to discuss key strategic issues affecting the region’s security and growth prospects.

The President’s official delegation includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Socio economic planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Panelo, Philippine permanent representative to ASEAN Noel Servigon, and Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/11/01/duterte-to-press-for-greater-peace-prosperity-in-asia-pacific/