JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners to harness their shared interests and rally them into taking joint action to address the complex challenges facing the world today.

In his intervention at the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) here on Thursday, Marcos said that the world is facing a number of serious challenges, including the intensification of geopolitical tensions, food and energy insecurity, and the acceleration of the climate crisis.

"These challenges are interconnected and require a comprehensive and coordinated response," Marcos Jr. said.

"We must not allow these challenges to divide us. Instead, we must come together and work together to find solutions," he added.

Marcos Jr. stressed the importance of ASEAN Centrality and universal multilateralism in addressing these challenges. He said that ASEAN must continue to play a leading role in regional cooperation, and that all countries must work together to uphold the rules-based international order.

On the issue of the South China Sea, Marcos Jr. reiterated the Philippines' commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes. He called on all parties to exercise self-restraint and refrain from unilateral and assertive activities that would increase tensions in the region.

Marcos Jr. also reiterated his concern over the militarization of the South China Sea and the illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the area.

He also called anew for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that is in accordance with international law.

"The Philippines remains committed to defending our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, and the maritime jurisdiction in accordance with UNCLOS," Marcos Jr. said.

In his intervention, Marcos Jr. also touched on other issues, such as the need to promote economic recovery, address climate change, and combat terrorism. He said that ASEAN and its partners must work together to build a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future for the region and the world.

The East Asia Summit is made up of 18 countries, including ten ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam) and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America.