ASEAN-US Summit: PH calls for cooperation on climate crisis, maritime security

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14)⁠— The Philippines has called for regional cooperation on various issues including climate crisis, maritime security, and post-pandemic recovery during its participation in the ASEAN-US Special Summit this week.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. — who led the Philippine delegation in place of President Rodrigo Duterte — joined other Southeast Asian leaders to tackle ways to address these global issues and other challenges, the Philippine Embassy in Washington said in a statement on Saturday.

Locsin highlighted the importance of transitioning to clean energy to address the climate crisis.

"We are particularly interested in safe, clean, and affordable nuclear power options such as small nuclear modular reactors, which are capable of being built and transported to far-flung energy starved areas," Locsin said during the summit, which was also attended by top US officials including President Joe Biden.

"We have yet to develop domestic energy sources in safe, clean ways. But we need American assurance of being left in peace to find and develop our energy sources without threats from a bullying neighbor that sets conditions no sovereign country can submit to," he added.

The special summit was mounted in a bid to improve ties between the regional bloc and the United States.