The Philippines has been “proactive” in building its network of “bilateral, mini-lateral, and regional partnerships” to prepare itself in taking on a bigger role in international politics as “traditional powers” have diminished their influence in maintaining global order, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
00:00At the same time, the traditional global powers that once dictated the international border are facing diminishing influence, internal divisions, economic uncertainties, and political polarization that have eroded their stability to provide credible and coherent leadership and global issues.
00:23The result is a governance vacuum with profound consequences, especially for the global south, that is the developing countries, which often bears the brunt of instability, economic inequality, and disasters.
00:39In this moment of uncertainty, developing countries, particularly emerging middle powers, which President Jimenez just mentioned that we are a middle power, and I responded to him, we're not even a middle income yet, but we're hoping to reach that stage, must seize the initiative and play a more active, constructive role in shaping international politics.
01:09By building stronger south-south cooperation, fostering preventive diplomacy, and asserting a unified voice, we can help craft a more balanced, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral world order together, one that will reflect the interests and aspirations of humanity.
01:30ASEAN, in particular, provides a model for regional cooperation and inclusion, transforming the Southeast Asian region into one of the world's most dynamic and fastest-growing regions, a true epicenter of economic growth and potential.
01:50While other regions in the world have growth rates under 2% to 3%, ASEAN and its member states are growing at a rapid pace of 5% and more.
02:01Actually, in the Philippines, we think we have a growth rate of 5.6% and we aim to reach a 6% growth rate, hopefully.
02:10As the Philippines chairs ASEAN next year, we intend to lead the region to addressing key cross-cutting issues.
02:22We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to navigate our shared future with confidence, especially as we mark the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN Treaty on Amity and Cooperation next year.
02:37We will build upon the legacy of consultation, consensus, and mutual respect in forging initiatives that will champion peace and security, provide stability, promote shared prosperity, and foster people empowerment in the ASEAN community.
02:54Earlier this month, we established formal diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Bhutan.
03:01This year, we are scheduled to open our embassy in Suva, Fiji, solidifying our outreach in the small island developing states in the South Pacific,
03:13and with whom we share key concerns, including mitigating vulnerability to climate change-induced disasters.
03:21Next year, we are going to open our embassy in Kazakhstan, our first resident diplomatic mission in the critically important Central Asian region.
03:33We will also strengthen our presence in Western Africa by establishing an embassy in Accra, Ghana, the continent's 10th largest economy.
03:43These new embassies will help us open opportunities for cooperation specifically on energy and critical minerals.
03:55Thank you for joining us.
04:00We will continue to support this in our organization and development, our first-person organization, our first-person organization, and then the next-person organization,
04:12of the United Nations and Estabiliate.
04:14We have a responsibility on our organization, our first-person organization.
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