Nagpahayag ng kahandaan si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. upang pamunuan ang pagdaraos ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2026.
“It is my pleasure to announce that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026. We will fortify the foundations of our community-building and navigate ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter,” pahayag ni Marcos sa ASEAN Summit Plenary ng 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits na ginanap sa Jakarta.
“We will count on the support of fellow Member States and continue to work with our partners to strengthen ASEAN Centrality, and to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region,” dagdag niya.
Pinasalamatan din ni Marcos si Indonesian President Joko Widodo sa mainit na pagtanggap nito sa delegasyon ng Pilipinas bilang chair ng ASEAN meeting ngayong taon. Tatayong host ng ASEAN Summit ang Lao PDR sa 2024.
Sa kanyang intervention, binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang sambayanan ang dapat na maging sentro ng community building sa rehiyon na dapat nilang isulong sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng empowerment sa mga kapos sa buhay at nasa “vulnerable sector” tulad ng persons with disabilities.
“We must continue to prepare our people, especially the marginalized and the vulnerable, such as the women and the persons with disabilities in business, for the digital future. The citizens of ASEAN should reskill and upskill to maintain their leading roles in our economies,” aniya.
“Let us ensure that our digital infrastructure enables broad and uninterrupted access, as the provision of our public services has shifted to digital platforms.”
Dapat, aniya, gawing prayoridad ng ASEAN ang pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa lahat ng mamamayan na yakapin ang digital literacy upang sila ay makasabay sa mabilis na galaw ng teknolohiya.