President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he will advocate for the country's interests and strengthen ties with its key regional partners as he departs for Tokyo to attend the 50th year of Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

In his departure speech, Marcos said the last ASEAN-related summit for the year presents a crucial opportunity for him to affirm the Philippines' position on key international issues, advance Philippine interests and welcome Japan's elevation to Comprehensive Partner status.

"I will highlight that the ASEAN-Japan relationship has inexorably evolved and progressed over the past five decades, particularly in shared commitments towards peace and security, trade and investment, food security, climate action, energy security, supply chain resilience, infrastructure development and, now, connectivity," Marcos said.

"I shall reassure ASEAN Member States and Japan that as permanent country coordinator for ASEAN-Japan Economic Relations, the Philippines will continue to shepherd ASEAN initiatives and projects with Japan not only to co-create a region of economic prosperity, but also an inclusive society that is ready for the future," Marcos added.

The Chief Executive also expressed his intention to update the Asia Zero Emission Community partner countries on the Philippines' ongoing efforts to advance a shift towards clean energy.

During the gathering, the President plans to showcase the country's endeavors in promoting clean energy initiatives, notably citing the establishment of the inaugural wind farms in Southeast Asia in 2003, which took place during his tenure as governor of Ilocos Norte.

"I will thus invite AZEC Partners, Japan included, to invest in the Philippine Renewable Energy Industry to achieve not only the intentions of AZEC, but also the overall goal of the Paris Agreement," he said.

"This administration will see to it that our constructive engagements with ASEAN, our External Partners and stakeholders, will continue to best serve our national interest, inasmuch as we promote the regional interest of peace, security, and prosperity, for the well-being of the Filipino people," he said.

Marcos said the summit commemorating 50 years of ASEAN-Japan relations and collaboration would consist of three sessions centered around the ASEAN-Japan alliance.

The initial session will delve into Japan's role in fostering ASEAN's community development, highlighting its unwavering backing for ASEAN Centrality and adherence to an international order based on rules. Subsequently, there will be a segment titled "Heart to Heart" Partnership across Generations.

The concluding segment of the summit's agenda will focus on the Co-Creation of the Economy and Society of the Future, anticipated to involve the Philippine economic team, spearheaded by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, accompanying the President.

Marcos will be in Japan from 15 December to 18 December, the Department of Foreign Affairs said last week.

His visit to Japan marks his 11th international journey this year and the 17th since assuming office in the middle of 2022.