President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday welcomed regional leaders to the 16th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, highlighting eight years of progress and calling for deeper cooperation to achieve inclusive and resilient growth.
Speaking before heads of state, diplomats, and delegates, President Marcos emphasized the significance of the summit as it coincides with the eighth year since the adoption of BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, a roadmap for sustainable and innovation-driven development across the sub-region.
“Since 2017, our cooperation has deepened, our partnerships have delivered tangible benefits for our peoples,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Together, we have laid down stronger foundations for inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven growth,” he added.
The chief executive pointed to advancements in key areas such as connectivity, trade and investment facilitation, food and energy security, ecotourism, and green development.
These initiatives, he said, are instrumental in narrowing development gaps among member economies.
“As we convene today, let us take this opportunity to not only celebrate these milestones, but to also affirm our shared vision for a more integrated, prosperous, and resilient BIMP-EAGA,” President Marcos added.
The president urged member states to intensify synergy, innovation, and political will as they work toward transforming their shared aspirations into long-lasting impacts for their citizens.
The summit also marked the 30th anniversary of BIMP-EAGA cooperation.
