EU, UN chiefs,18 state leaders confirmed for ASEAN meet: DFA

FILE: DFA Acting Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said these leaders would cover a whole range of issues of common concern, including trade and investment facilitation, innovation, connectivity and strengthening the ASEAN community as a model of regional integration.

 (PNA photo)

MANILA —The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday announced the names of 20 leaders confirmed to attend the various summits this week in Manila — an attendance that signify “deep and strong bonds” between the bloc and its dialogue partners, an official said.

DFA Acting Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said these leaders would cover a whole range of issues of common concern, including trade and investment facilitation, innovation, connectivity and strengthening the ASEAN community as a model of regional integration.

Among others, Bolivar confirmed that the leaders would also tackle ways to address cybercrime, countering radicalization, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, cooperation against trafficking in persons and the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers and persons with disabilities.

During the course of the summits, these state leaders will issue, sign, adopt or take note of several outcome documents, he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who will lead the summits, will issue Chairman’s Statements for the ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Plus One Summits, the ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the East Asia Summit.

All heads of ASEAN member states are attending, namely: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Laos President Bounnhang Vorachith, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Myanmar State Counsellor Daw Aung SaSuu Kyi, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President Joko Widodo.

For dialogue partners, following leaders are confirmed to attend: Australian Prime Minister, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Korean President Moon Jae-In, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and United State President Donald Trump.

For international organizations, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gutierres and European Council President Donald Tusk will be the ones participating in the summit.