Intervention by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit
The Right Honourable Prime Minister
Christopher Luxon,
Your Majesty, Excellencies,
Over the past fifty years of ASEAN–New Zealand Dialogue Relations, New Zealand has consistently upheld and recognized ASEAN Centrality.
As we elevate our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, I look forward to a deeper engagement through the four pillars of cooperation for ASEAN-New Zealand Relations: Peace, Prosperity, People, and Planet.
On Peace, we thank New Zealand for its continued engagement in maritime cooperation.
Initiatives such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshops on Implementing UNCLOS and Other Maritime Issues and the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Marine Debris Workshop are valuable in supporting capacity-building to address emerging maritime challenges in the region.
As a maritime and archipelagic nation, the Philippines greatly values New Zealand’s efforts in advancing ASEAN’s maritime priorities, anchored on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Your Majesty, Excellencies,
On Prosperity, the Philippines welcomes the entry into force of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA).
We hope this will expand market access, enhance regulatory certainty, and open new opportunities in e-commerce, sustainable trade, and MSME empowerment.
Another key area where ASEAN and New Zealand can further deepen cooperation is in sustainable agriculture and fisheries.
ASEAN’s producers face growing climate and market pressures. By drawing on New Zealand’s expertise in agritech, sustainable farming, and value-chain integration, we can strengthen livelihoods, raise standards, and enhance food security across our communities.
Your Majesty, Excellencies,
On People, we acknowledge New Zealand’s valuable efforts in deepening the connections among our peoples. The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships have opened doors for ASEAN scholars to access higher education while fostering understanding and meaningful cultural exchange.
For the Philippines, the Mindanao Young Leaders Programme is a welcome initiative in strengthening the capacities of young community leaders from civil society organizations in Mindanao.
On Planet, we acknowledge New Zealand’s contribution to the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, which is headquartered in the Philippines.
As one of the world’s leading countries in biodiversity and species conservation, New Zealand brings valuable expertise, and we look forward to deepening our cooperation in this important area.
Your Majesty, Excellencies,
Over the five decades of our partnership, ASEAN and New Zealand have achieved much together, and we are confident that we will accomplish even more in the decades ahead.
I wish to reiterate the Philippines’ support for the ASEAN–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as for the establishment
of a biennial ASEAN–New Zealand Summit.
Together with the implementation of the ASEAN–New Zealand Plan of Action 2026–2030 and the ASEAN Vision 2045, these commitments will elevate our partnership to new heights for the benefit of our peoples.
Thank you.
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