The Philippines, led by President Rodrigo Duterte, has launched its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday, January 15, in Davao City.
As chairman of the ASEAN in 2017, the country will be hosting its year-long events and activities in different parts of the Philippines with “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World” as its chosen theme.
Heads of state and sectoral leaders from all over Southeast Asia will be attending to the Philippines to participate in these events, all with the aim of improving unity and harmony among the 10 member-countries of the ASEAN.
Duterte, during his speech at the launching, emphasized that the Philippines’ chairmanship will focus on improving the lives of each ASEAN citizen.
“For an ASEAN citizen, the ASEAN Community must provide opportunities for a truly better life,” he said, adding that the Philippines’ chairmanship will place the people at the core.
Duterte is also calling the public to take an active an constructive part during the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN.
“It is our spirit of ‘bayanihan’ that has helped define us as a responsible leader of our region during this crucial time,” he added, pointing out that it is the ASEAN’s spirit of community that would enable the regional grouping to overcome challenges that it faces as a region.
Other priorities that Duterte pointed out are the regional peace and stability, maritime security and cooperation, and inclusive and innovation-led growth.
Sure to be a topic during ASEAN events is the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), parts of which are being claimed by 5 ASEAN member-states – the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
On the year of its chairmanship, the Philippines aims for the completion of the framework of the South China Sea Code of Conduct with China.
The Philippines takes on a leadership role in the ASEAN on the year of the regional bloc’s 50th founding anniversary.
The ASEAN was founded in 1967, with the Philippines among the founding members.
ASEAN 2017 coin, stamp
During the launch, Duterte also unveiled the ASEAN 2017 commemorative coin and unique stamp.
One side of the one-peso coin’s design features ten stars representing the 10 ASEAN member-states and the 2017 theme while the other side shows the Rizal Monument in Manila.
“It is the Filipino symbol of courage and patriotism,” according to Duterte.
The ASEAN 2017 chairmanship stamp is a limited edition stamp since only 101,000 copies of it will be disseminated, depicting the official logo and theme.
The stamp may be purchased at the Manila Central Post Office starting Monday, January 16.
