Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Tuesday promoted the significance of a rules-based international order to the Philippines and its intention of intently working “bilaterally, regional, and multilateral fora” with different nations together with Japan.
Manalo is at present in Tokyo, Japan to take part within the Munich Leaders Meeting (MLM) and have interaction in coverage discussions from May 14 to 16.
During his remarks earlier than the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, Manalo shared his perspective on the rules-based order and highlighted three key factors.
“The rule of law ensures equity in the global commons. The Philippines recognizes the significance of equitable rules in governing our maritime domain. We take pride in our active involvement in the negotiations for the 1982 UNCLOS, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the future Treaty on the High Seas, through which we demonstrate our commitment to promoting fair and inclusive governance of the maritime commons,” he stated.
He additionally emphasised that the Philippines is on the cusp of achieving “upper middle-income country status” and is projected to grow to be the “16th largest economy in the world” by 2040.
“The strength of the Philippine economy lies in our robust economic fundamentals and a demographic sweet spot. Our primary agenda is to uplift the quality of life of all Filipinos, particularly the marginalized, and securing a peaceful and stable regional environment is paramount to this objective,” he stated.
“Multilateralism must thrive as a unifying force and a platform for inclusion and empowerment of nations and their citizens. A rules-based global order forms the foundation for the kind of multilateralism that overcomes differences among actors, facilitates global action in response to challenges such as public health emergencies, humanitarian crises, and climate change, and addresses emerging risks and threats that jeopardize us collectively,” he stated.
Manalo stated the Philippines persistently endeavored to make multilateralism “more constructive, inclusive, and equitable.”
“The Philippines has played a bridging and moderating role in many multilateral settings where polarities threaten consensus. We will continue to play this role, as it aligns with our overarching objective of fostering international cooperation,” he stated.
PH-Japan strategic partnership
The DFA chief stated the bilateral ties within the coming years between the 2 nations can be buying “stronger contours” throughout many sectors together with within the following areas:
- financial safety and resilience by way of cooperation in crucial infrastructure, superior applied sciences, and climate-smart, sustainable and inclusive progress;
- extra strong people-to-people connections;
- a stronger give attention to humanitarian help and catastrophe response in addition to marine environmental safety, maritime area consciousness and maritime regulation enforcement, to implement the 1982 UNCLOS, and,
- new workstreams in cyber-cooperation together with connectivity and cyber-security, and, house cooperation, together with house area consciousness.
“The Philippines and Japan share a commonality which no other nation in Asia possesses, with the exception of South Korea – our treaty alliance with the United States, our historic and important relationship with America stands alongside our huge economic relationship with China. Hence, our two nations must continue to engage both China and the United States constructively, and support calls for Beijing and Washington to responsibly manage their strategic rivalry,” he stated.
“Whilst every now and then, current and future challenges and transformations may make it seem that the relationship is treading on unfamiliar ground, the Philippines and Japan can always draw on the strength of our enduring values underpinning our Strategic partnership, and thus, chart a solid course towards mutual benefit, peace, and prosperity for our peoples in the years and decades to come,” he added.
The Munich Security Conference, which is the host and organizer of the MLM, the Munich Security Meeting in Tokyo “aims to connect European and American leaders with their counterparts in the Indo-Pacific region to discuss ideas on how to contribute to regional and global stability.”
Manalo joined policymakers and specialists in sharing insights on a variety of points, together with the Indo-Pacific safety structure, nuclear safety, and new partnership alternatives arising from the shifting geopolitical panorama within the area and past, based on the DFA. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
