President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on the leaders of Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and China to strengthen collaboration and “redouble efforts” in addressing shared regional challenges through inclusive and results-oriented initiatives.

Speaking at the 28th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Marcos underscored the importance of deepening cooperation amid increasing regional and global uncertainties.

“As our common challenges intensify, we must redouble our efforts with ambitious yet concrete, inclusive, and results-oriented initiatives that meet our peoples’ needs and keep pace with evolving priorities,” Marcos said during his intervention.

Marcos highlighted the need to enhance collaboration in addressing transnational crimes, particularly human trafficking. He proposed aligning ASEAN Plus Three work programs and protocols with the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) to enable faster cross-border action and stronger victim-centered protection.

On the economic front, the President welcomed the recent upgrade to the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation, including the establishment of a Rapid Financing Facility. He described the move as a timely enhancement to the region’s financial safety nets amid ongoing global uncertainties.

Marcos also called for greater support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by promoting wider uptake of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) through practical measures such as plain-language guidance and export assistance.

He expressed support for the Network of East Asian Think-Tanks (NEAT) recommendation to advance regional supply chain connectivity and MSME integration, noting that such efforts would help reduce trade costs, facilitate faster customs processes, and create new opportunities across both urban and rural communities.

“In doing so, we can ensure faster customs clearances, lower costs, more opportunities for first-time exporters, and wider opportunity from city centers to coastal and inland communities,” Marcos said.

Marcos also pushed for strengthened regional cooperation in social services, encouraging the expansion of the ASEAN Training Centre for Social Work and Social Welfare (ATCSW). He urged ASEAN Plus Three members to reinforce inclusive and adaptive social protection systems, particularly for migrant workers and displaced persons.

Recognizing the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, the President echoed calls to make disaster risk reduction a cornerstone of sustainable development. 

He advocated aligning regional efforts with the Sendai Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and climate action priorities, emphasizing the use of innovative early warning technologies to safeguard lives and livelihoods.

Further, Marcos expressed support for the adoption of a Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Regional Economic and Financial Cooperation, describing it as a “clear expression of our shared resolve to reinforce resilience and advance inclusive and sustainable growth.”

He also thanked Malaysia for its able chairmanship of the summit and expressed appreciation to Japan for its leadership in steering the APT mechanism. 

The President noted that the Philippines looks forward to hosting the ASEAN Summit in 2026, a year that will also mark the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.

“This milestone reminds us that nations can reconcile and forge partnerships of respect and shared purpose,” Marcos said. 

“In the same spirit, ASEAN Plus Three shows how dialogue and cooperation can transform even the gravest challenges into possibilities,” he added. “Moving forward, this partnership must continue to drive our collective action into securing enduring peace and lasting prosperity in the years to come.”

The 28th ASEAN Plus Three Summit was attended by ROK President Lee Jae Myung, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and the ten ASEAN heads of state.