"President Rodrigo Duterte reported a productive conclusion of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on November 14, announcing landmark outcomes of the meetings during the Philippines' hosting.  President Duterte noted the highlights of the Summit such as the start of talks for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and the signing of a Consensus on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers.   The President said that China has graciously agreed for the crafting of a binding COC, promising unbridled freedom of overflight and navigation in the busy waterway.  The President reported that the ASEAN held successive summits with its Dialogue Partners as well as the ASEAN-led mechanisms — the ASEAN Plus Three and the East Asia Summit, noting the importance of cooperation in addressing issues that affect the peace, security, and prosperity of the region.  President Duterte also chaired and hosted the first meeting of the Leaders of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), wherein, along with the other leaders, he expressed resolve to realize a substantial conclusion of negotiations on the economic instrument.  The leaders also had two business council meetings — the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and the East Asia Business Council. Sponsored Links  Threats of terrorism overshadowed discussions In the press conference, the President said the issue of terrorism loomed large in the agenda of the talks with ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners.  He said the attack in Marawi City by the ISIS-linked Maute group is a stark reminder of the risks each country face, with all the leaders mentioning the heroism of Filipino soldiers and policemen who fought the terrorists.  The rising tension in the Korean Peninsula was also a major topic for the talks, particularly in the discussions involving China and the US, the President said, adding that the region cannot afford to ignite a very disastrous war.  As the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits draw to a close, the President led the symbolic turnover of the ASEAN chairmanship to Singapore.  President Duterte also expressed his gratitude to the press who gave extensive coverage of the country's hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit.  With the country's ASEAN hosting this year which coincides with the regional grouping's 50th founding anniversary, the President said, ""We are honored that world leaders joined us in celebrating ASEAN's achievements and contributions to [regional] peace, stability, and prosperity for the past 50 years.""  The Philippines' ASEAN hosting went with a theme ""Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.""  How did Filipinos benefit from funding the ₱15.5 billion-ASEAN 2017 summit? (in no particular order)  1. Signing of the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers - also provides for respect for gender and nationality and protection against violence and sexual harassment in the workplace.  2. Over ₱1.15 billion from China in form of grants to help rebuild war-torn Marawi and provide livelihood for displaced residents. Also, over ₱355 billion in soft loans and grants to fund infrastructure (e.g. railway, expressway, irrigation, drug rehabilitation centers). Fourteen deals were signed between the two countries covering the above in addition to youth development, climate change, defense and intellectual property.  3. ₱6.7 billion from Japan in assistance to help strengthen the country's maritime surveillance capability to fight radicalization and violent extremism.  4. ASEAN and China's signing of Declaration for a Decade of Coastal and Marine Environmental Protection in the South China Sea, expected to last from 2017 to 2027.  5. Commencement of formal multi-party negotiations for the finalization of a Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.  6. An increase from the ₱421.7 billion (2015) total Hongkong-Philippines trade with the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) for the reduction of trade barriers.  7. FTA proposal between the Philippines and the US to further improve trade relations.  8. ₱715 million from Canada in investment over five years to improve access to reproductive health in the Philippines.  9. Joint US-Philippine statement ensuring the mainstreaming of the human rights agenda in both country's national programs.  10. Signing of three memorandums of agreement (MOAs) with New Zealand with regards to education, joint airline marketing, geothermal energy experience sharing and improvement of weather intelligence.  11. Signing of nine MOAs with the Russian Federation with regards to energy cooperation, fighting terrorism, railway infrastructure exploration, transport education and inter-departmental government partnerships.  12. FTA proposal between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), a trade block comprising of Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.  13. FTA bilateral proposal between Philippines the European Union, pending EU conditions of trade regulations in relation to the latter's operational definition of ""human rights"" and ""rule of law"".   14. The Focused and Strategic (FAST) Action Agenda on Investment which aligns with the goals and four pillars of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA)  15. The maiden voyage of the ASEAN RO-RO that plied the Davao-General Santos-Bitung route  16. The adoption of the ASEAN Seamless Trade Facilitation Indicators (ASTFI) by the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) in September 2017  17. The development of the ASEAN Inclusive Business Framework (AIBF) that to promote Inclusive Business in ASEAN  18. The adoption of the ASEAN Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (AWPEC) 2017-2025 in September 2017  19. The Philippines' first full and comprehensive Country Visit exercise under the AEC 2025 Monitoring and & Evaluation Framework in the Philippines October 2017  20. The adoption by the ASEAN Leaders of the Action Agenda on Mainstreaming Women's Economic Empowerment in ASEAN  21. The ASEAN Declaration on Innovation, which will be one of the outcome documents that will be adopted at the 31st ASEAN Summit  Source: PTV News President Rodrigo Duterte reported a productive conclusion of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Tuesday, November 14, announcing landmark outcomes of the meetings during the Philippines' hosting.  President Duterte noted the highlights of the Summit such as the start of talks for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and the signing of a Consensus on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers.  ""Yesterday, during the 20th ASEAN-China Summit, we announced the start of formal negotiations on a Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,"" President Duterte said, announcing the negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.  ""Just a few moments ago, the other ASEAN Leaders joined me in signing the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers – our commitment to our people,"" he said.  The President said that China has graciously agreed for the crafting of a binding COC, promising unbridled freedom of overflight and navigation in the busy waterway.  The President reported that the ASEAN held successive summits with its Dialogue Partners as well as the ASEAN-led mechanisms — the ASEAN Plus Three and the East Asia Summit, noting the importance of cooperation in addressing issues that affect the peace, security, and prosperity of the region.  President Duterte also chaired and hosted the first meeting of the Leaders of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), wherein, along with the other leaders, he expressed resolve to realize a substantial conclusion of negotiations on the economic instrument.  The leaders also had two business council meetings — the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and the East Asia Business Council. Sponsored Links ""We looked at the progress of our cooperation with external partners and the future direction of ASEAN's engagement with them, noting the importance of ASEAN centrality, and the reality that relations bear fruit if cooperation is anchored on mutual respect and benefit,"" the President said.  Threats of terrorism overshadowed discussions In the press conference, the President said the issue of terrorism loomed large in the agenda of the talks with ASEAN leaders and their dialogue partners.  ""Half of the time during the interventions actually was the issue of terrorism. Everybody's scared with the new vogue of dying just suddenly in the explosion of any… whatever,"" President Duterte said.  ""We vowed to work closely. We discussed it in confidential meetings. We have agreed on so many things to enhance the defense of our country.""  He said the attack in Marawi City by the ISIS-linked Maute group is a stark reminder of the risks each country face, with all the leaders mentioning the heroism of Filipino soldiers and policemen who fought the terrorists.  The rising tension in the Korean Peninsula was also a major topic for the talks, particularly in the discussions involving China and the US, the President said, adding that the region cannot afford to ignite a very disastrous war.  As the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits draw to a close, the President led the symbolic turnover of the ASEAN chairmanship to Singapore.  President Duterte also expressed his gratitude to the press who gave extensive coverage of the country's hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit.  ""Before I close, I wish to express my appreciation to the members of the media for your coverage throughout the year of the Philippines' Chairmanship of ASEAN,"" he said.  ""You have been [our] invaluable partners in raising ASEAN awareness to our peoples, particularly our hard work toward improving the lives of our peoples and in strengthening our ASEAN Community. I thank you for getting that message across to the public,"" Duterte said.  With the country's ASEAN hosting this year which coincides with the regional grouping's 50th founding anniversary, the President said, ""We are honored that world leaders joined us in celebrating ASEAN's achievements and contributions to [regional] peace, stability, and prosperity for the past 50 years.""  The country's hosting has a theme of ""Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.""{OR INSERT ANOTHER 3-5 IMAGES OR VIDEO HERE}  Source: PTV News   Advertisement  Advertisement Read More:      ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO"
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