Duterte may hold bilateral meetings with Indonesia, others at Bali talks

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte may have time for bilateral meetings with fellow leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries when he goes to Bali Indonesia this week.

Duterte is scheduled to leave for Bali on Wednesday to attend a gathering of ASEAN leaders on October 11.

The two-hour informal gathering will allow leaders to exchange views on sustainable development goals and overcoming development gap through regional and global collaborative actions. The event will be co-chaired by the president of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of Singapore, the chair of this year's ASEAN summit. 

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Juniver Mahilum-West said Duterte would call for economic resilience in the face of global economic uncertainties and highlight the government’s efforts to improve its performance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

He is also expected to urge fellow leaders to strengthen support for micro, small and medium enterprises development and highlight the government’s efforts to improve its performance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 

"The president will be joining the other leaders of ASEAN members states in showcasing ASEAN leadership and solid an intensifying cooperation in managing economic growth to create better prosperity and equity as well as delivering meaningful progress in achieving the sustainable development goals," West said in a press briefing Monday. 

Duterte will be attending the event as rumors swirl that he is suffering from a serious illness. The president has raised the possibility that he may have cancer but officials insist that he is healthy. 

Participants of the gathering are expected to affirm ASEAN's commitment to support the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Nations' role in addressing development challenges.

The discussions would also touch on the impact of climate change, alleviating poverty, tackling inequalities, promoting women empowerment, energy connectivity and efficiency, promoting and greening micro, small, and medium enterprises, agriculture, education, health, food and nutrition, enhancing social security and promoting a decent work for all.

West said no official document would be issued after the gathering but the outcome of the discussions is expected to set the tone for the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group also in Bali on October 12 to 14. The ASEAN leaders' gathering, which will also be attended by the IMF Managing Director, the World Bank president, the UN Secretary General and the ASEAN Secretary-General, will be followed by a dinner. 

Bilateral meetings

West said Duterte may have bilateral meetings with fellow ASEAN leaders at the sidelines of the gathering. 

"We are expecting some bilateral meetings. But despite the shortness of the visit, and right now we are making arrangements for a meeting with Indonesia," West said. 

Asked how many leaders would meet with Duterte, West said: "Maybe up to three, roughly." 

"Perhaps pull-aside meetings are possible. It will be a short visit but the discussions are very intensive," she added. 

West said Duterte may also personally offer assistance to those who were affected by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake and tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi last late last month. 

"We will provide help and then it will be coursed through the AHA. We call it the AHA Center (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management). And this is a good chance for the president to personally relay to (Indonesian) President Jokowi Widodo our assistance," West said. 

Unlike his previous foreign trips, Duterte may not be able to meet with the Filipino community in Bali because of lack of time, she added.