Kuala lumpur: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing the well-being of Filipinos and the wider Southeast Asian community as his country prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship next year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Marcos expressed full support for Malaysia's leadership and its vision of an ASEAN that promotes meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable development in his statement before departing for Malaysia to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. He emphasized the importance of ASEAN Centrality in addressing pressing regional and global challenges, including developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, threats to regional peace and maritime security, as well as the impacts of climate change, economic volatility, and transnational crime.

His remarks were also shared on the official Facebook page of Radio Television Malaca±ang (RTVM). During the summit, Marcos is scheduled to attend 14 leaders' meetings and participate in three signing ceremonies, including the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste as ASEAN's 11th Member, the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade.

Marcos highlighted that ASEAN's collective strength depends on the progress of each member state and noted that his administration will continue to promote transparency and accountability in public spending. He also emphasized the Philippines' commitment to building a future-ready nation and an ASEAN that is not only competitive but also people-centered and sustainable.

Malaysia, which holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', is hosting the 47th ASEAN Summit from October 26 to October 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The Philippines will take over the ASEAN chairmanship from Malaysia in 2026.