ASEAN Coordinating Council Ensures Results-Oriented Agenda for Summit

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) has assured that the region’s leaders will have a clear, coherent, and results-oriented agenda at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on Friday (8/5). “Today, we will review the implementation of decisions and commitments made by our leaders at previous summits. Considering cross-pillar and institutional matters that require our collective guidance, and ensuring that the agenda before our leaders is clear, coherent, and focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for our region,” said Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro in her opening speech at the ACC Meeting in Cebu on Thursday. In the meeting, Lazaro, as the leader of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) pillar, was accompanied by the chairs of ASEAN community pillars, including the leader of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council, Philippine Trade Minister Maria Cristina Roque, and Philippine Social Welfare and Development Minister Rex Gatchalian, who leads the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council. “As we prepare for the 48th ASEAN Summit, let us continue to be guided by ASEAN unity, ASEAN centrality, and our shared commitment to concrete cooperation for the well-being of our people, while together navigating our future,” Lazaro stated in remarks received in Jakarta on Thursday. The ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting serves as a follow-up to the APSC Council session, AEC Council, and ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday morning. “In facing shared challenges, economic pressures, and risks to our people’s welfare; ASEAN is repeatedly called upon to demonstrate the strength of our unity, resilience, and practical cooperation,” she stressed. She reaffirmed three urgent priorities that need to be discussed at the 48th ASEAN Summit: regional energy security and resilience, food security, and protection of ASEAN citizens. “The Chair (Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) has utilised the opportunity of the 48th ASEAN Summit for our leaders to focus, discuss, and chart a common direction and concrete actions among us as a family,” she said.