The 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit officially begins today in Pasay City with the 10 leaders from the region expected to focus their discussions on political, security, economic, and socio-cultural issues.
President Duterte, chairperson of this year’s ASEAN Summit, will lead the opening ceremony at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The summit also coincides with the ASEAN’s 50th year anniversary.
Afterwards, the leaders will proceed to the nearby Philippine International Convention Center to participate in the 31st ASEAN Summit Plenary; ASEAN-US Commemorative Summit; 20th ASEAN-China Summit; 19th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit; 20th ASEAN-Japan Summit, and the 9th ASEAN-United Nations Summit. (Roy C. Mabasa)