01:54When ready, may we invite your Majesty and Excellencies to share your warmest smiles.
02:00In 3, 2, 1.
02:08We shall now proceed to the ASEAN handshake.
02:11May we kindly request your Majesty and Excellencies to extend your hands right over left.
02:24Your Majesty and Excellencies, this now concludes the family photo activity.
02:29Thank you very much.
02:45Excellencies, before we commence the meeting, may I invite everyone to settle down and take their seats as we invite
02:52our leaders to enter the venue.
02:55For the convenience of the delegations, simultaneous interpretation devices have been placed at each seat for use throughout the meeting.
03:20Your Majesty, distinguished heads of state and government.
03:24Secretary General of ASEAN, Excellencies, ministers, distinguished delegates, welcome to the ASEAN leaders' interface with representatives of ASEAN youth.
03:36I now have the honor.
03:38I now have the honor.
03:39I now have the honor to invite His Excellency, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines
03:44and Chair of ASEAN, to deliver his opening remarks.
03:50Your Majesty, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, representatives of ASEAN youth.
03:55Good evening.
03:57Welcome to Manila for the ASEAN leaders' interface with representatives of ASEAN youth.
04:03For the Philippines, chairing ASEAN is both an honor and a responsibility.
04:08I am especially pleased that our young people are here not simply to witness our discussion, but to help shape
04:15the direction of our region.
04:17The Philippines is guided by a simple but powerful theme, navigating our future together.
04:24These words reflect our conviction that ASEAN can meet the challenges before us only through shared responsibility and the active
04:32participation of our peoples.
04:34In an age of rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and persistent threats to peace, young people need more than words
04:44of encouragement.
04:45You need institutions that listen, opportunities that are within reach, and communities in which they can live and contribute safely.
04:56Across the ASEAN region, young people are building enterprises, developing new technologies, preserving our cultures, and serving your communities.
05:05Yet many of you still face barriers to meaningful participation, access to finance, relevant education, and decent work.
05:14Others confront insecurity, exclusion, and harmful online environments.
05:20These concerns are central to our ambition to build a resilient, inclusive, and people-centered community.
05:28The youth statement brings these realities into focus.
05:32It asks us to make youth participation meaningful and sustainable, to involve young people in peace-building and security,
05:42to strengthen protections and opportunities for those working in emerging industries,
05:47and to ensure that digital transformation is ethical, safe, and accessible to all.
05:54It also reminds us that youth empowerment cannot rely on the individual talent alone.
06:00It requires policies, resources, and partnerships that enable young people from every community,
06:08not only those with the greatest advantages, to thrive.
06:13In this gathering, youth leadership is a contribution that our regional institutions should increasingly be able to draw upon
06:20in ways that are inclusive, consistent, and accountable in ways that are inclusive, consistent, and accountable.
06:25This is why today's interface is important.
06:29It offers an opportunity to hear the young voices of the youth and to consider how they might inform our
06:36work within ASEAN's established processes.
06:40To our youth representatives, I encourage you to speak with confidence in the value of your ideas.
06:48To my fellow leaders, I invite you to listen carefully, with open minds, and a shared sense of purpose.
06:56Let today's discussion strengthen the bridge between the aspirations of our young people
07:02and the decisions that help shape the future of ASEAN.
07:10At this point, I kindly request our friends from the media to allow us to begin our closed session.
07:28You
