President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday emphasized the importance of maintaining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) good relations with external partners to attain peace and security in the region.

In his intervention during the Southeast Asian Leaders’ Interface with ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Marcos said the AIPA’s engagement with the parliaments of ASEAN’s external partners is an important avenue for fostering deeper cooperation to advance regional priorities.

“It is also a vital platform for dialogue on pressing regional and international issues. Such efforts can support ASEAN in fostering mutual understanding and strategic trust over the various challenges that impact regional peace and security,” Marcos said.

Marcos made the call, as he stressed that the very foundations of the international order that have sustained the growth and prosperity of ASEAN “are being tested on many fronts.”

He said the “complex and unpredictable shifts” in the geopolitical landscape are challenging the rules-based international order.

“We must reaffirm our commitment to the values and principles that underpin ASEAN. The sovereign equality of all states, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and adherence to the rule of law are inviolable,” he said.

“AIPA’s efforts in translating our regional commitments to concrete actions at the national level will be key to driving the success of our collective efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous region,” he added.

Marcos said it is imperative that inter-parliamentary diplomacy be conducted with full respect for the Centrality of ASEAN, in line with the collective vision for the region.

He called for the enactment of responsive legislation, the development of innovative policies, and the provision of adequate resources and incentives that would advance ASEAN’s regional priorities.

Marcos also stressed the importance of greater economic integration, investments in infrastructure development, strengthened supply chain connectivity, enhanced national cybersecurity capabilities, sustainable agriculture and food security, the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

“The partnership between the executive and legislative bodies of ASEAN is more integral than ever, for the challenges we face transcend national borders. Only through our concerted efforts to strengthen the ties that connect our ASEAN Member States together can ensure our resilience in the face of emerging threats,” he said.

The AIPA plays a key role in familiarizing the peoples of Southeast Asia with policies aimed at accelerating the realization of an ASEAN Community in 2025. (PNA)