President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed optimism over closer cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia in economic, maritime, and climate initiatives ahead of the Philippines’ 2026 chairship.

“As the Philippines prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairship in 2026, we look forward to building upon this enduring foundation of friendship and cooperation that has long united our region,” Marcos said at the 5th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Australia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Marcos issued the statement, as he recognized Australia’s key role as ASEAN’s first dialogue partner, standing with the regional bloc for over five decades in “building a community of peace, stability, and people-centered prosperity.”

“With Australia’s steadfast support, we are confident that we can continue to shape a future of lasting peace and inclusive prosperity that leaves no one behind,” he said.

Marcos said the Philippines, together with fellow Southeast Asian nations, is committed to the full and timely implementation of the ASEAN-Australia Plan of Action 2025-2029, a roadmap that reflects the trust and shared resolve underpinning their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He lauded Australia’s proactive engagement in ASEAN-led mechanisms and steadfast support for maritime cooperation and conflict prevention as vital pillars of shared stability.

He said frameworks such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum help expand channels of dialogue and strengthen collective capacity to safeguard the region’s maritime domain.

“Building on these shared endeavors, Australia’s leadership under the AUD64 million Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships Initiative, together with our co-chairship of the 2025–2027 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, further underscores our shared resolve to uphold international norms and a rules-based international order,” Marcos said.

Marcos also underscored the importance of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) in expanding market access, enhancing regulatory certainty, and creating new opportunities in e-commerce, sustainable trade, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) development.

He added that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) initiative would also serve as “engines of deeper integration and inclusive growth.”

“This economic dynamism goes hand in hand with our mission to deepen the bonds that connect our peoples,” Marcos said.

Marcos also welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN–Australia Centre, emphasizing that its work in promoting Southeast Asia literacy, education, youth leadership, and cultural exchange will help shape the next generation of their relations.

He also expressed appreciation for Australia’s continued investments in climate resilience and marine protection, including the Climate and Clean Energy Window, which bolsters collective efforts on climate change and clean energy.

“We recognize that our cooperation must also secure the planet our future generations will inherit,” he said.

“We also encourage Australia’s continued support for the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, particularly in advancing biodiversity conservation and implementing the Post-2025 ASEAN Strategic Plan on Environment under Aus4ASEAN Futures.” (PNA)