President Rodrigo Roa Duterte participated at the plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit, where he called on ASEAN leaders to fast-track the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework.

COVID-19 ASEAN Response on ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies and the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases. He further told his counterparts in the region to work together to ensure that all nations rich or poor will have access to safe vaccines.

The President likewise welcomed the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the RCEP Agreement, where he underscored that growth to be truly transformative must be enjoyed by all.

President Duterte, in the same occasion, mentioned that he welcomes support for the Philippines’ inaugural chairmanship of the ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council.

The Chief Executive also told fellow ASEAN leaders that the Philippines was battered by Typhoon Goni and is now suffering in the midst of the storm of Typhoon Ulysses highlighting the urgency of collective action to combat the effects of climate change.

Finally, President Duterte mentioned the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea saying that it is an authoritative interpretation of the application of UNCLOS and stressing that the Philippines is committed to the immediate conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.