MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will call for economic resilience amid prevailing global economic uncertainties during the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders gathering in Bali, Indonesia.
Foreign Affairs Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Junever Mahilum-West confirmed that Duterte will be meeting with ASEAN leaders, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on October 11.
Duterte will be visiting Bali upon the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who will be leading this year's IMF-WB meeting.
"The president would highlight the government's efforts to improve its performance in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), urge all parties to strengthen support for micro, small and medium enterprises development," West said in Malacañang press briefing.
Duterte will also encourage deeper cooperation between the ASEAN, the UN, IMF and WB so as to implement the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda.
The leaders will sit in a two-hour informal roundtable discussion to exchange views on achieving the SDGs and overcoming development gap, the DFA official said.
"The gathering will discuss key issues related to using synergy in strengthening financial stability in the region and accelerating economic development and regional integration, as well as exploring potential collaboration to achieve development goals," West said.
Widodo and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will co-chair the ASEAN leaders' gathering and will have a press conference after.
"No official document will be issued but the outcome of discussions are expected to set the tone for annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to be held in the same venue," the DFA said.
The meeting in Indonesia comes before the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Singapore and after the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. — Patricia Lourdes Viray