MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the need for regional solidarity to address escalating geopolitical tensions and maritime disputes in Southeast Asia, as he opened the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on Sunday.
During his welcoming remarks, Marcos said the growing tensions caused by regional maritime disputes required deeper cooperation than ever before.
"That commitment matters even more as the waters around us turn and shift in tide. Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, new technologies, climate change, and transnational threats are shaping our region faster than any one country can respond alone,” said Marcos, addressing the Asean member state leaders and regional dialogue partnets.
