In his opening remarks, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the ministers will discuss regional progresses in implementing important initiatives as well as future orientations for building the ASEAN Community, realizing the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, and preparation for the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings in November this year.

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Foreign ministers posing for a photo at the opening ceremony. 

They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern such as the East Sea (South China Sea), the Korean Peninsula, anti-terrorism and extremism fight, navigation security and other non-traditional security matters.

At a plenary session, the FMs will have an in-depth discussion on working groups’ meetings with 17 dialogue countries, including the US, Russia, Japan and China.

Such issues as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and settlement of territorial disputes in the East Sea, terrorism, violent extremism, and cross-border crimes are expected to be deliberated at the event.

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights will update the FMs on the human rights situation so as to help them devise measures to promote and protect human rights in ASEAN based on the commission’s Terms of Reference and ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.

The AMM 50 and related meetings will run until August 8.

On August 7, foreign ministers of ASEAN and 17 dialogue partners are scheduled to meet at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) – an important multilateral security dialogue – to discuss hot issues in the region.

Source: VNA