By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, Oct. 29 (APD) – President Rodrigo Duterte will fly to Nonthaburi, Thailand from Saturday (November 2) to Monday (November 4) for the 35th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

Foreign Affairs Asst. Secretary for the Office of ASEAN Affairs Junever M. Mahilum-West in a briefing in Malacanang Monday said other Heads of Governments and States of ASEAN member states and Heads of Governments and States of its Dialogue Partners will also be in attendance.

Expected to join President Duterte are Secretaries Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. of Foreign Affairs and Ramon Lopez of Trade and Industry among others.

Aside from the ASEAN Summit, there are several other summits where the Philippines will participate. These include the ASEAN Plus Three Summit and East Asia Summit where leaders will share their views on regional and international issues affecting the region and beyond.

“ASEAN will also have one-on-one summits with China, with India, the United Nations, the United States and Japan where they are expected to discuss the current direction of our partnerships and cooperation on mutual concerns,” Mahilum-West said.

It is expected there will be 40 outcome documents at the end of the Summit which represent the culmination of the ASEAN Community’s work in pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable ASEAN Community especially with the theme “Partnership for Sustainability.”

A handover ceremony of the ASEAN Chairmanship from Thailand to Vietnam at the end of the closing session on Tuesday, November 12.

On Sunday, November 3, the Opening Ceremony will take place and immediately followed by the ASEAN-China Summit and the ASEAN-India Summit.

The ASEAN-United Nations Summit will take place while the gala dinner has been scheduled in the early evening of Sunday.

On Monday, November 4, the ASEAN Plus Three Summit will happen with the ten-member states of the ASEAN plus China, Japan and Korea and will be followed by the ASEAN-US Summit while Thailand’s initiative as Summit chair, a Special Lunch on Sustainable Development will take place.

On Monday afternoon, the 14th East Asia Summit will be followed by the ASEAN-Japan Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership summit will take place.

The Closing Ceremony will be held towards Monday evening and followed by a press conference. The Mekong-Japan Summit working dinner will also take place.

Asst. Secretary Mahilum-West said there are two major side events during the Summit. These are the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the Mekong-Japan Summit working dinner along with the Indo-Pacific Business Forum.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)