Marcos arrives in Malaysia for 46th Asean Summit
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his speech at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday, May 25, 2025, before his departure for Kuala Lumpur to take part in the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. (INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo)
KUALA LUMPUR – President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos arrived here on Sunday afternoon ahead of their participation in the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits this week.
The President and his delegation landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 001 at 5:41 pm.
Marcos and the First Lady were accorded arrival honors and were welcomed by Maria Angela Ponce, the Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia.
The President will join members of the regional bloc during the ASEAN Summits on Monday and Tuesday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center.
The Department of Foreign Affairs previously said the President may have bilateral meetings with the leaders of Laos, Vietnam, and Kuwait on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.
The President and his delegation departed the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 2:21 pm.
Accompanying Marcos to the Asean Summit are Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz, and Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Magno.
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In his departure statement, Marcos said he will join other leaders of the regional bloc in discussing regional and global issues such as the South China Sea dispute, the Myanmar situation, climate change, economic volatility, the development of a regional (artificial intelligence) AI framework, etc.
He added that he will also join discussions on Asean’s response to the United States new tariff policy.
“It is something that we have to discuss and we have to repsond to. Considering the different situations that member nations face concerning trade, we must find a way to find consensus among the disparate situation that member states are operating in,” the President said.
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He also reiterated his commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Marcos added that he will highlight the Philippines’ commitment to the “development of a common regional framework for ethical and responsible AI or artificial intelligence aligned with ASEAN values.”
“Through these efforts, we aim to build a future-ready ASEAN that is not only competitive, but also people-centered and sustainable,” he said.
This year’s summit has the theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” which the Chief Executive said “underscores our shared commitment to a region that is united, resilient, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of its people.”
