Duterte pushes Asean cooperation in economic develpoment

BANGKOK – Greater cooperation on inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic development as well as promoting the rights of migrant workers and other vulnerable groups were among President Duterte’s principal concerns in his talks with his counterparts and business leaders at the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit here this weekend.

Duterte was to meet Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and President Joko Widodo yesterday on the sidelines of the summit, Malacañang said in a statement.

Malacañang expressed confidence the meeting with the Thai leader would strengthen bilateral cooperation on security and on efforts to achieve sustainable development.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand.

Duterte arrived at around 10 p.m. Friday on a private plane at the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Bangkok.

Southeast Asian leaders said they hope the summit would help them further advance the shared vision of a people-centered and people-oriented ASEAN Community.

With the theme “Advancing Partnerships for Sustainability,” the 34th ASEAN Summit is the first of two summit meetings this year under Thailand’s chairmanship.

The President has committed to press for more coordinated response to regional and global issues affecting security and stability and growth prospects of Southeast Asia and the larger Asia-Pacific region.

These include developments in the South China Sea, the ongoing US-China trade war, terrorism and violent extremism, climate change and transnational crimes, including the trafficking of illegal drugs.

At the summit, the President did some assessment of the implementation of agreements at previous summits, including initiatives under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2017, such as the ASEAN Consensus on the Promotion and Protection of Migrant Workers, the Action Agenda on Mainstreaming Women’s Economic Empowerment in ASEAN and the ASEAN Declaration on Innovation.