BANGKOK – Barring any last-minute changes, President Duterte is set to embark on a four-day official visit to Thailand this week for the regional summit on strengthening partnership and cooperation for regional growth, peace, and stability.
Accompanied by several Cabinet members, the President is expected to participate in the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit and related meetings with the theme “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability.”
Based on his tentative schedule, Duterte is expected to depart for Bangkok Friday, Nov. 1, and return to the country on Nov. 4. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has been designated as officer-in-charge while the President is abroad.
The Palace had earlier confirmed the President’s attendance to the ASEAN summit and has not announced any changes as of press time.
“The leaders are expected to discuss progress in ASEAN’s community-building, cooperation with external partners, as well as regional and international issues,” a Palace briefer on the ASEAN summit said.
“ASEAN and its dialogue partners are expected to review and discuss the future direction of their cooperation, among others, during these related summits,” it added.
ASEAN is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Among the dialogue partners of the 10-member ASEAN are China, Japan, South Korea, United States, India, and the United Nations.
During the regional talks, the Palace said the Philippines will support Thailand’s priorities for its chairmanship in 2019 amid moves to make ASEAN “respond more effectively to a regional and global environment of greater change.”
The summit, which will be held in Nonthaburi from Nov. 2 to 4, will also prepare ASEAN for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and further realize the ASEAN community vision 2025, it added. (Genalyn Kabiling)