JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday hailed the United States as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' indispensable partner in achieving its collective goals and aspirations, both on the domestic and the international fronts.

In his intervention at the 11th ASEAN-US Summit here, Marcos said the US is more than just a longstanding, close, and reliable friend and ally of the Philippines.

"The United States of America is more than just a longstanding, close, and reliable friend, and ally of the Philippines," Marcos said. "The US is also undeniably ASEAN's partner in achieving our collective goals and aspirations as nations, both on the domestic and on the international fronts."

Marcos welcomed the US support for ASEAN Centrality and principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which envisions a free and open Indo-Pacific that is more connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.

He also commended the US leadership for the hard work and vision that resulted in the Joint Statement now known as The Spirit of Camp David, which described South Korea, Japan, and the United States' desire to advance closer trilateral coordination to address regional and global challenges.

"The Statement cemented a common security agenda among the United States, Japan, and South Korea, on arguably the most problematic issues in the region," Marcos said.

"Issues that undermine regional peace and prosperity, including but not limited to supporting the free and open international order based on the rule of law," he added.

The statement opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific and the militarization of reclaimed features in the South China Sea, as well as expresses concern for the continued illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing that affects our fisherfolk.

Marcos also welcomed the trilateral maritime exercises conducted among the Coast Guards of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, which are aimed at strengthening humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) cooperation.

On the economic front, Marcos said that ASEAN and the US should continue efforts at enhancing connectivity and supply chains to further expand mutual trade.

"The US economic might in the region has been a positive force," Marcos said. "Last year, the US remained the biggest source of Foreign Direct Investment with a market share of 22.5%. We look forward to more investment inflows as well as a higher turnover of goods and services through the implementation of the ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) and the Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) Work."

Marcos also welcomed the US' continued initiatives in education, especially in youth and women empowerment, such as the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI); the Billion Futures Scholars framework; the Fulbright US-ASEAN Visiting Scholar; and the ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women; as well as the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program, amongst others.

"We thank the US for committing to engaging with ASEAN's next generation of leaders through these exchanges as they provide both professional and academic exchange opportunities to emerging leaders in ASEAN," Marcos said.

Marcos concluded his speech by reaffirming the Philippines' commitment to a strong and enduring US-ASEAN partnership.