President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) to reaffirm their commitment to universal multilateralism, stressing its vital role in maintaining global stability.

In his intervention at the 14th ASEAN-United Nations Summit in Laos, Marcos said multilateralism, or an alliance of countries pursuing a common goal, remains essential for fostering a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.

President Marcos said multilateral institutions, such as the UN and ASEAN, should proactively uphold and protect the international rule of law against contemporary challenges, noting that their effectiveness in addressing these issues determines their relevance.

“Our rules-based international order, established to avoid the conflicts in the past — conflicts which set humanity back several decades, is now under attack. Across the globe, states have acted against the principles of international law and, at times, against plain human decency,” President Marcos said.

“It is thus timely that we all meet today to reaffirm our commitment to universal multilateralism. The commitment and success of every collective endeavor renew the central role of our institutions and strengthen the international order that we have long established and try to live by,” he added.

Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the global agenda of the UN by advancing interest on combating climate change, women’s role in peacemaking, and disaster management.

Marcos expressed gratitude to the ASEAN for backing the country’s bid for a seat in the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.

“We are also firmly committed to the goals of the United Nations, and we thank ASEAN for the support of our candidature to be a member of the UN Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028,” President Marcos said.

“Please be assured that the Philippines will advance our regional agenda within the wider UN Framework.”

He underscored the Philippines’ ongoing initiatives on climate action, including hosting the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund, which will provide assistance to countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

President Marcos reported the Philippines passed a law, the Loss and Damage Fund Board Act, which gives legal personality as well as privileges for the Board.

The President said he looks forward to projects aimed at finding nature-based solutions to climate change and promoting biodiversity in the ASEAN composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Philippines will host the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction on Oct. 14 and 15 in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and an International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) later this month.

Both conferences aim to strengthen policies on risk reduction and promote gender inclusivity in peacemaking efforts.

“The Philippines believes in the WPS Agenda, and this conference is our contribution toward the mainstreaming ahead of the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in October 2025,” he said. (PNA)