ASEAN Summit to tackle transnational crime, food security measures

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As the Philippines wraps up its chairmanship of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, several key measures are expected to be finalized to address challenges facing member states.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said these measures aim to address issues including the impacts of the Middle East crisis, food security, and transnational crimes.

"Given the situation at the moment, we are still feeling the impacts of the Middle East crisis, so we should expect some additional measures and decisions from our leaders in addressing the energy situation that we're facing at the moment," Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier "Dax" Imperial, spokesperson for ASEAN Affairs, said in a press briefing.

"We will also expect some decisions and measures with regard to more protection and welfare of migrant workers, especially the Filipino migrant workers," he added.

On November 14, DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro will convene the ASEAN foreign ministers for their final meeting, where they will review and decide on the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, as one of the agenda items.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will chair the ASEAN Summit and related summits from November 15 to 17.

The program on November 15 will start with an opening ceremony followed by the plenary and retreat sessions. It will culminate with the interface meetings with the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, and ASEAN youth.

The Plus One summits will be held from November 16-17.

On November 17, Marcos will convene the 29th ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit. —LDF, GMA News