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President Benigno Simeon Aquino’s Speech at the 19th ASEAN Summit, Plenary Session, Nusa Dua Convention Center, Bali Indonesia (as read by Secretary Ricky Carandang)

Thank you, Mr. President.  President Yudhoyono, Your Majesty, Excellencies, good morning.  Allow me to read President Benigno Aquino’s statement for this session.

I’ll first address agenda item number 1: ASEAN Community Building and the Implementation of the ASEAN Charter.

ASEAN Community Building and Implementation of the ASEAN Charter.

Uncertainty in other regions of the world has allowed opportunities to eddy toward regions that are currently more stable, among them Southeast Asia. Our pursuit of greater connectivity allows us to collectively benefit from such a situation; it allows for the growth of one to redound to the growth of all. It allows for positive engagement, which is the wellspring of stability that ensures that the doors of progress remain open for our peoples. The issues that my country would like to put forward are guided by this spirit; in particular, we suggest that the ASEAN be united in its approach as regards four imperatives.

Migration is a transnational issue, and the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers must involve both receiving and sending states. Our first imperative underscores the need to finalize a legally binding instrument for the protection of migrant workers’ rights. This is of particular importance to my people, 8.6 million of whom reside around the globe as Overseas Filipino Workers, with almost 390,000 working in the ASEAN region.

The Philippines’ advocacy for migrant workers is closely related to its advocacy of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, which we look forward to finalizing and adopting in 2012.

This Declaration also runs parallel to our second imperative: the need for ASEAN to establish an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons. As lead shepherd of the fight against Trafficking in Persons, the Philippines has submitted a draft Convention, which we hope can be favorably considered by all ASEAN Member States. Trafficking of illicit drugs is another menace to society, which our region should continue to cooperate on.

Our first two imperatives address the risks that emerge as people and goods gain greater mobility. Our third imperative addresses the need for inclusive growth and equitable progress: it is the need to put SMEs first.

While ASEAN efforts in advancing trade liberalization and facilitation are already beginning to bear fruit, much remains to be done. From simplifying exportation in the ASEAN Free Trade Area, to institutionalizing a Self Certification scheme; from exploring mechanisms that allow us to exploit market opportunities created by the FTA, to pursuing innovative arrangements at all levels of our relations-- our collective effort is needed to ensure that SMEs are fully supported, and that none of our peoples are left behind on the path to progress.

The fourth imperative is maritime security. The realization of an ASEAN community and of our connectivity initiatives must be underpinned by regional peace and stability.  The Philippines therefore underscores the importance of a peaceful resolution of the disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) by applying the rule of law, specifically UNCLOS; utilizing a multilateral approach; and adhering to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SCS (DOC).

As a way forward, and using the Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship, and Cooperation (ZoPFF/C) as an actionable framework, the Philippines calls on ASEAN to facilitate a Meeting among claimant states in the South China Sea, including China, to discuss these claims and define both the undisputed and the disputed areas for the purpose of establishing a joint cooperation area.

It is in everyone's interest to maintain stability in the South China Sea -- not merely in terms of security and the political climate, but also in terms of the biodiversity. This is a collective resource whose preservation redounds not only to our benefit, but to that of future generations as well. The Philippines calls on all ASEAN Member States to ratify the ASEAN Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity to sustain the operations of the Centre. The work of the Centre is critical in sustaining our region’s resources.

For the survival of our peoples and future generations, the Philippines appeals to all ASEAN Member States to act now to protect and conserve our region’s biodiversity that is threatened with unprecedented degradation.

ASEAN and the Wider Region

Allow me this opportunity to also expound on this.

As we prepare for the 6th EAS, the Philippines wishes to build on some points from the Summit in May. The EAS is a Leaders-led forum, unlike any other fora, and we should capitalize on the presence of key global leaders by discussing the issues that have impact on the peace and stability of our region. In this vein, the Philippines will lay out issues on the table that have a direct impact on our community-building efforts and goals such as maritime security and connectivity. Disaster management is also a priority area of cooperation, among others, all of which need to be addressed with tangible outputs.

Excellencies, our region is on the cusp of greater growth. Investors are flocking to an undertapped economic oasis that they have discovered in our region, and it lies upon us as leaders to build on the momentum we have already gained. Our collective effort is needed to ensure that risks are minimized, stability is maintained, and growth is felt by the greatest number of our peoples.

Thank you.