Intervention by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 5th RCEP Leaders’ Summit

Your Majesty,

Excellencies,

I would like to thank His Excellency Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, for his leadership in progressing the RCEP.

The five years since the signing of the agreement have been a time of profound transformation in the global economic and geopolitical landscape.

Amidst today’s global uncertainties, which include shifts to inward trade policies, ASEAN’s commitment to a rules-based trading system remains our strongest anchor.

It is this commitment that has allowed our economies to grow and develop together in an environment of trust, fairness, and transparency.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) exemplifies this principle. As the world’s largest free trade agreement, RCEP provides a stable and predictable framework for trade and investments.

For these reasons, it is in our collective interest to advance the accession process without delay.

Early expansion of RCEP will not only deepen regional integration and reinforce supply chain resilience, but also reaffirm ASEAN’s central role in shaping the region’s economic future.

By doing so, we strengthen RCEP as a platform that drives prosperity, inclusivity, and ensures that our region remains a vital force in the global economy.

RCEP holds great promise for our region, but its success ultimately depends on how effectively we translate the agreement into opportunities on the ground.

Businesses, especially our micro, small, and medium enterprises, must be empowered to understand and utilize RCEP as a tool for trade and investment.

As such, the Philippines encourages all RCEP Parties to step up cooperation on awareness-building and capacity development.

These efforts are essential if we are to unlock the full value of the agreement and broaden economic opportunities across our economies.

In this regard, the Philippines hosted an international trade forum in one of our key economic hubs to bring RCEP closer to local businesses. Government representatives engaged directly with stakeholders, helping to demystify the agreement and highlight its benefits.

Building on this model, the Philippines would be pleased to work with other RCEP Parties to organize a regional campaign, as a platform for dialogue, business-matching, and collaboration, ensuring that RCEP delivers real and measurable outcomes for the region.

To further demonstrate our commitment, the Philippines will be pleased to host this International Trade Forum in November next year.

As we move forward together, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to shaping a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.

RCEP must not only respond to today’s challenges, but also anticipate tomorrow’s opportunities, particularly in digital trade, the creative economy, green transition, and innovation.

By deepening our cooperation in these areas, we can ensure that RCEP remains a dynamic and responsive framework that delivers prosperity to all our peoples.

Thank you.

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