ASEAN leaders agree on enhanced trade,
investment
(BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) The leaders of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations reiterated the need to enhance ASEAN’s
competitiveness and to continue deepening its economic integration to meet its
targets in 2015.
In a statement at the conclusion of the 23rd
ASEAN Summit here, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei said the regional block is
pleased with the continued robust performance of each country’s economy.
“Last year, ASEAN grew by 5.7 percent and was
able to maintain its level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows at $108.2
billion as well as recorded $2.47 trillion in total merchandise trade. Against
the backdrop of weaker global growth, regional growth is expected to moderate
in the immediate term. Nonetheless, in the longer term, economic activities in
the region are expected to remain robust,” Bolkiah said in a statement released
Thursday.
ASEAN, Bolkiah said, was encouraged by the
progress of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), where 279 measures (79.7 percent)
of the AEC Blueprint have been implemented.
“Recognizing the challenges being faced in
implementing the AEC, we further agreed to intensify our efforts in those areas
under the AEC with high impact to ensure credible integration results by 2015,”
he said in the statement.
In this regard, he said ASEAN welcomed the
progress in trade and investment liberalization and facilitation initiatives in
the region, such as the on-going work to streamline Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs)
and to address Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) effects of NTMs through National level
and Regional level Work Programmes on NTMs, efforts to deepen services
integration through the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services, especially the
9th Package of Services commitments and the enhancement of the AFAS, as well as
the implementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement.
The group also supported the development of
effective rules and regulations, such as on competition policy and intellectual
property rights, to foster a more competitive region.
At the same time, he said ASEAN remains
committed to the facilitation of the movement of ASEAN nationals to complement
trade and investment facilitation work.
It is also important to promote financial
literacy among the region’s people and ASEAN welcomed the outcomes of the ASEAN
Financial Literacy Conference held in Brunei Darussalam last September.
“We also intensified our efforts to build
stronger integrated financial markets. We believe that robust capital markets
are important to ensure financial stability, efficient allocation of capital,
harness foreign capital inflows, and develop new investment vehicles in the
region,” he said.
To enhance regional transport services, the
ASEAN needs to strengthen intra-ASEAN maritime and shipping services, including
the establishment of a task force to monitor and promote the implementation of
the ASEAN Single Shipping Market and the progress of the ASEAN Single Aviation
Market particularly on the development of a framework on Ramp Inspection, Aviation
Security joint exercise and the ASEAN Regional Contingency Plan.
Also during the summit, leaders expressed their
determination to continue enhancing ASEAN energy cooperation to address major
energy challenges and thus, ensure a secure and reliable energy supply to the
ASEAN region.
Ensuring regional food security is essential for
ensuring broader security of the people in the region, Bolkiah said. He said
leaders noted the on-going progress and achievement made in the implementation
of the ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework and its Strategic Plan of
Action 2009-2013.
“We supported the initiation of the work on
developing the post-2015 vision, objectives and goals of the ASEAN Cooperation
in Food, Agriculture and Forestry sector towards 2020,” he said in the
statement.
The regional grouping also realized the
potential of SMEs to increase their contribution to the region’s economic
development and to promote inclusive growth. In this regards, ASEAN leaders
welcomed the revision of the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development
2010-2015 as part of rigorous efforts to align its work with the dynamic
economic landscape and regional architecture, as well as the development of a
draft Strategic Roadmap to enhance SMEs across the region.
The leaders also welcomed the progress on works
aimed at integrating ASEAN into the global economy, particularly through the
implementation of the ASEAN+1 FTAs, the on-going negotiations for the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership and preparations for the ASEAN-Hong Kong
Free Trade Area negotiations.
President Benigno S. Aquino III joined fellow
ASEAN leaders and other dialogue partners in the two-day ASEAN summit here.
Immediately after the closing ceremonies, the President left for Manila Thursday
evening. PND (as)
ASEAN leaders adopt Declaration on the
Elimination of Violence against Women and Children
(BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei Darussalam)
President Benigno S. Aquino III and his Southeast Asian counterparts adopted on
Thursday the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and
Children in the region at the culmination of the 23rd Association of Southeast
Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit.
ASEAN leaders issued the said declaration
bearing in mind the “need for a strengthened holistic and multidisciplinary
approach that is responsive to gender and age as well as being sensitive to
children,” Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei said in a statement.
“We noted that the Declaration, in recognition
of the specific situations of women and children, particularly victims and
survivors of violence, indicates the kind of support and services to be
provided in ASEAN member states,” it added.
ASEAN leaders also adopted the Declaration on
Strengthening Social Protection, which was among the advocacies of President
Aquino during his participation in the two-day summit.
It aims to set out principles, strategies, and
mechanisms in accordance with the domestic laws and policies of ASEAN member
states in ensuring equitable access to services, social welfare and justice, as
well as development of social services for all to bring about prosperity in the
region. PND (hdc)
ASEAN leaders commit to addressing disasters,
climate change during 23rd ASEAN Summit
(BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) The members of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed for greater cooperation for disaster
response and mitigation as well as addressing climate change.
In a concluding statement during the 23rd ASEAN
Summit, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, the summit chair, said ASEAN leaders
have encouraged cross-sectoral coordination and multi-stakeholder
participation, including greater civil-military coordination in emergency
response operations.
“We also supported the convening of the ASEAN
Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management and their coordination with the
various relevant mechanisms related to disaster management in ASEAN to
synchronize their activities and policies using the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster
Management and Emergency Response as the common platform for disaster
management. In this regard, we adopted the ASEAN Declaration on Enhancing
Cooperation in Disaster Management,” he in the statement said.
At the same time, he said leaders encouraged the
effective implementation of the ASEAN Action Plan on Joint Response to Climate
Change, with particular attention to vulnerable groups in adaptation efforts.
These include moves to preserve and manage the
use of water resources, and ASEAN’s efforts to continue effectively
implementing the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan on Water Resource Management.
“We recognized the importance of preserving and
managing water resources for sustainable development. In this regard, we
welcomed the Chiang Mai Declaration by the 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in
Chiang Mai, Thailand, in May 2013, which reiterated the importance of water as
an essential part of human life and the environment as well as human security
and the economy. As such, we acknowledged that water is an issue affecting all
three pillars of the future ASEAN Community,” Bolkiah said in the statement.
To combat air pollution, the ASEAN welcomed the
adoption of the recommendation of the 14th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
on the Environment for an ASEAN Sub-Regional Haze Monitoring System, as a joint
haze monitoring system among Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee on
Transboundary Haze Pollution countries.
The regional block noted the outcomes of the
trilateral meeting on transboundary haze between the Foreign Ministers of
Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore at the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers’ Retreat in Hua Hin on August 14, 2013.
“We also welcomed Indonesia’s commitment to the
ratification of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution and looked
forward to Indonesia’s ratification of the Agreement at the earliest time,” the
summit chair said in the statement.
On the group’s initiative to fight poverty,
Bolkiah said they welcomed the outcomes of the 8th ASEAN Ministers Meeting on
Rural Development and Poverty Eradication in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in July
2013 including the acknowledgment of the importance of participatory approaches
involving our communities, village leaders, civil society, grassroots
organizations, and volunteers.
ASEAN also reiterated the importance of job
creation and strengthening of human resource development and acknowledged the
importance of education cooperation to improve regional productivity and
prosperity.
ASEAN leaders concluded their two-day
discussions Thursday. President Benigno S. Aquino III joined fellow leaders in
the ASEAN during the two-day event starting October 9 and 10, 2013 here in
Bandar Seri Begawan. PND (as)
President Aquino back from APEC and ASEAN
Summits
President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived in
Manila Thursday night after attending the 21st Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) and the 23rd Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summits held
in Bali, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, respectively from October 6 to 10,
2013.
The Pesident's chartered Philippine Air Lines
flight PR001 landed at the tarmac of the Ninoy Aquino Intrrnational Airport
Terminal 2 at around 8:30 p.m. and after 10 minutes of taxiing deplaned at the
terminal's arrival gate at around 8:40 p.m.
Joining the President were Finance Secretary
Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Socio-economic planning
Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and other officials and staff of Malacanang.
In his short remarks, the President hailed his
trip as one that was highly successful and significant as he was able to
showcase the upliftment of the Philippines from being the "sick man of
Asia" to its current state of being the region's best performing economy
through honest and straightforward governance.
The President also highlighted the fact that he
was able to discuss with his counterparts from other countries the Philippines'
desire to set aside any differences and misunderstandings and forge forward for
the benefit of the people and the region.
"Matagumpay at makabuluhan. Ito ang mga
salitang magbubuod sa limang araw nating pagbiyahe sa Indonesia at Brunei para
sa APEC at ASEAN summits. Unang araw pa lamang natin sa APEC Economic Leaders’
Meeting sa Bali, Indonesia, kitang-kita na ang mainit na pagsalubong at
pagkamangha ng ibang mga bansa sa nagaganap na positibong transpormasyon dito
sa Pilipinas. Hindi po kalabisan kung sasabihin nating sabik na sabik silang
malaman kung paanong, mula sa pagiging 'sick man of Asia,' ay unti-unti nating
nabago't napatingkad ang imahen ng Pilipinas sa pandaigdigang entablado.
Ibinahagi natin sa APEC CEO Summit Conversation with Leaders na ang kakaibang
sigla at estabilidad ng ating ekonomiya ay nagmumula sa tapat at hayag na
pamamahalang talagang nakatutok, hindi sa pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, kundi
sa pag-alaga sa kapakanan ng taumbayan," the President said.
"Naging produktibo din po ang partisipasyon
natin sa ikadalawampu’t tatlong ASEAN Summit sa Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Darussalam. Sa pamamagitan ng Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership,
naisulong ang pagsuporta sa maliliit na negosyo at ang pagpapabuti sa daloy ng
kalakal ng mga bansa. Tinalakay din natin ang pagpapatibay sa kahandaan sa mga
sakuna, at ang seguridad ng mga Pilipino sa ibayong dagat. Sa paglawak ng
impluwensya, at sa paglaki ng ginagampanang papel ng Timog Silangang Asya sa
daigdig, kritikal din ang naganap na konsultasyon at dayalogo natin sa mga
bansang kasapi ng ASEAN, gayundin sa ating strategic partners na Estados Unidos
at bansang Hapon," he added.
The President stressed that he was able to voice
out the need to implement a Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea which he
said was widely received by his counterparts.
"Gaya ng dati, nanindigan tayo para sa
implementasyon ng mga prinsipyong nakapaloob sa Declaration on the Conduct of
Parties in the South China Sea. Muli rin nating isinulong na matutukan, sa
lalong madaling panahon, ang pagpapanday ng isang Code of Conduct na susundin
ng bawat miyembro. Ang mga hakbang natin tungo sa resolusyon ukol sa "the
sea known by many names" ay nakatuon, hindi sa pansariling interes ng mga
indibiduwal na bansa, kundi para sa mas aktibong kalakalan, malawakang
kaunlaran, at mapayapang relasyon sa Asya. Sa bawat salitang ating binibitawan,
naging malinaw po: Ang Pilipinas ay hindi na lamang basta isang munting tinig.
Ngayon, may boses na tayong kinikilala, iginagalang at sinasang-ayunan ng
marami," the President said.
In ending, the President underscored the
importance of unity and cooperation as well as the need to pursue an advocacy
collectively.
"Sa pambansa man o sa pandaigdigang konteksto,
wala po talagang kahihinatnan ang pagkakanya-kanya. Kooperasyon at
pagkakaunawaan: ito pa rin ang susi sa pagpapanatili ng isang mundong hitik sa
pagkakataon at pag-asa para sa lahat," the President said.
"Ito mismo ang batayang prinsipyong
gumabay, at patuloy na gagabay sa atin bilang isang bansa. Hindi natin
hahayaang politika ang magdikta sa direksyong tatahakin ng mga Pilipino.
Tanging ang interes ng nakararami, ang pagbuwag sa kultura ng katiwalian, at
ang pagsusulong ng malawakang kaunlaran ang tumitimon sa bawat hakbang natin
dito sa tuwid na daan. Tiyak kong hanggat nariyan ang mga Boss ko, ang
sambayanang Pilipino, alam kong anumang pagsubok na ating kakaharapin ay higit
lamang magpapalakas sa paninindigan nating magpamana ng isang Pilipinas na
pakikinabangan at maipagmamalaki ng susunod na salinlahi," he added. PND
(rck)
Aquino attends 23rd ASEAN Summit closing
ceremony, chairmanship handover
(BRUNEI DARUSSALAM) President Benigno S. Aquino
III joined Thursday other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) at the closing rites of the 23rd ASEAN Summit and the handover of
ASEAN’s chairmanship from Brunei Darussalam to Myanmar.
President Thein Sein said the theme of Myanmar’s
chairmanship would be “Moving forward in Unity in a Peaceful and Prosperous
Community.”
The President said in one interview here that he
believes Myanmar could handle the ASEAN chairmanship well and the ASEAN as a
group must support it.
Aside from the ASEAN chairmanship, Myanmar will
also host the East Asia Summit in 2014. The meeting will bring together ASEAN
members with the US, China and Russia, and other countries.
According to the President, the choice made by
Myanmar, to take the path towards democracy, has started to benefit its people.
But there are challenges that lie ahead, the
President said, adding that President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San
Suu Kyi must work together for the national good.
The President has returned to Manila Thursday
evening following his successful attendance to the 23rd ASEAN Summit here. PND
(as)
Department of Social Welfare and Development
earmarks P156.13 million in emergency relief assistance for families affected
by typhoon Santi
The Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) has prepositioned P156.13-million in emergency relief resources for
families affected by typhoon ‘Santi,’ a Palace official said on Friday.
"The DSWD has prepositioned P156.13-million
worth of emergency relief resources including the standby fund, which is worth
P12.03 million; 37,858 family food packs worth P9.39 million; other food items
worth P25-million as well as non-food items at P109.71- million," Deputy
Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing
in Malacanang Palace.
At 2 p.m. Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration said "yellow"
alert (Heavy Rainfall Warning) was raised over Quezon, Rizal and portions of
Laguna, Bulacan and Pampanga.
"The field offices of DSWD have been
activated and are coordinating with their local counterparts on how best to
help the areas that are in the path of the typhoon," Valte said
The DSWD, together with local government units,
will continue to mobilize its resources to help affected residents, Valte said.
In its most recent news bulletin, PAGASA said
Typhoon Santi (international name Nari) gained intensity as it headed toward
Aurora and Isabela area.
At 11 a.m. on Friday, October 11, the eye of
Typhoon Santi was spotted at 230 kilometers East of Baler, Aurora with maximum
sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up
to 160 kph. It is forecast to move West. PND (js)
Government hopes to reach agreement with the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front on power sharing annex
The Aquino administration expressed optimism
that both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels can finish the power sharing annex
of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), a Palace official said.
"Both sides are extremely optimistic
that... they both expressed their optimism as well as their commitment to have
something done by this round," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail
Valte said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang Palace on Friday.
Valte said the government peace negotiators are
optimistic to reach an agreement with the MILF, at least on the power-sharing
annex, following the resumption of the 41st formal exploratory talks in Kuala
Lumpur in Malaysia early this week.
Both parties stressed the need to ensure just
and acceptable solutions to address the decades-old conflict in Mindanao.
During the opening ceremonies for the 41st
formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur this week, the government peace panel
chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer reiterated the importance of due diligence in
coming up with viable solutions to the Bangsamoro problem.
MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, in his
opening statement, proposed to “finish the two remaining annexes especially on
power sharing.”
The wealth-sharing annex was signed by both
parties after concluding the 38th series of exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia last July.
The Parties believe that the annex on wealth
sharing will provide sufficient guidance for the crafting of the Bangsamoro
Basic Law’s provisions on wealth sharing and revenue generation for the
Bangsamoro as envisioned by the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. PND (js)
