Pres. Aquino to attend 26th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Malaysia

President Benigno S. Aquino III will leave for Malaysia on Sunday (April 26) to participate in next week’s 26th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

President Aquino would be joining his fellow ASEAN leaders for the 26th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings slated on April 27 to 28, to be held in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Luis Cruz said.

“He (President Aquino) will have seven meetings: three of them with his fellow ASEAN leaders, and four with representatives of the private sector,” Cruz said.

On April 27, the President will attend the Summit Plenary Session, the Summit Retreat, and the meetings with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the ASEAN Youth, and the Civil Society Organizations.

On April 28, President Aquino is scheduled to join his three counterparts in the 11th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit.

The President will also attend the Gala Dinner and Barbecue Dinner, to be hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and his spouse, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, for all ASEAN leaders and their delegations on April 26 and 27, respectively.

During the 26th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session in Kuala Lumpur, the leaders will discuss and exchange views on the establishment of an ASEAN Community; the ASEAN Community’s Post-2015 Vision; and external relations and future direction.

On the 26th ASEAN Summit Retreat Session in Langkawi, the leaders will discuss and exchange views on ASEAN Centrality; the impact of the financial crisis and economic slowdown on the region and the ASEAN’s response; climate change and disaster management; and regional and international issues.

On the 11th BIMP-EAGA Summit, there will be a presentation on recent developments in the BIMP-EAGA and the way forward, along with discussion and directives from its leaders.

The theme Malaysia chose for its 2015 ASEAN chairmanship is "Our People, Our Community, Our Vision”, which highlights the importance of a united ASEAN. The theme also manifests Malaysia’s commitment to contribute to the realization of a politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible, and people-centered community.

The President will be accompanied to the 26th ASEAN Summit by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, and a number of key Cabinet members. (PCOO News Release)