Marcos warns of transnational risks at ASEAN-Japan Summit

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. warned during the 27th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Laos that transnational issues could undermine peace and stability within ASEAN.

Marcos highlighted unilateral actions in the East and South China Seas as significant risks to regional peace, urging leaders to address these challenges collectively through mutual trust and cooperation.

He emphasized the importance of upholding maritime security, territorial integrity, disarmament, and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The President praised Japan's commitment to fostering peace and stability through platforms like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Marcos noted the Philippines' role in advancing maritime security cooperation as co-chair of the ADMM Plus Experts' Working Group for 2024-2027.

Japan's support for ASEAN centrality, including initiatives like the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategies, was highlighted by Marcos.

The President also thanked Japan for its contributions to economic development and food security through programs such as APTERR and the ASEAN-JICA Food Value Chain Development Project.