NANAWAGAN si Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez sa mga lider ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at South Korea na pagtibayin ang relasyon ng mga ito para sa kapayapaan at pag-unlad ng rehiyon.

Ginawa ni Speaker Romualdez ang pahayag sa pagbubukas ng ASEAN-Korea Leaders’ Forum na ginanap sa Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) sa Jeju Island, Korea. Si Speaker Romualdez ang nanguna sa delegasyon ng Kamara de Representantes sa naturang forum.

Ang ASEAN-Korea Leaders Forum ay isang special program ng Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. Nagsasama-sama rito ang mga parliamentarian at mga malalaking negosyante sa rehiyon upang palakasin ang kanilang kooperasyon patungo sa kapayapaan at pag-unlad.

“I look forward to substantive discussions on how we as a collective global community can ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the region; as well as promote sustainable economic growth and enhance regional resilience, with a focus on energy and food security, among others,” ani Speaker Romualdez.

Pinuri rin ni Speaker Romualdez si Kim Jin-pyo, ang Speaker ng National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

“On behalf of the Philippine government and people, it is a great honor for me to lead the Philippine delegation to the 18th Jeju Forum. I would like to thank the Republic of Korea for hosting this forum in Jeju Island, home to world heritage sites and a model for green transition. I extend my nation’s warmest congratulations to our host,” sabi pa ng lider ng Kamara.

Kasama ni Speaker Romualdez sa forum sina Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (Chairperson-Accounts), Rep. Glona Labadlabad (Chairperson-Inter-parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy), Rep. Shernee Tan-Tambut (Chairperson-Peace, Reconciliation and Unity), Rep. Princess Rihan Sakaluran (Chairperson-East ASEAN Growth Area), Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora (Chairperson-Strategic Intelligence), Rep. Emigdio Tanjuatco III (Vice-chair-Foreign Affairs), Rep. John Tracy Cagas (Vice-chair-East ASEAN Growth Area), Rep. Peter Miguel (Vice-chair-Health), Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Santos, Rep. Jonahtan Clement Abalos, at House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.

Muli ring iginiit ni Speaker Romualdez ang pangangailangan na patatagin ang seguridad ng Pilipinas upang mapanatili ang soberanya at maprotektahan ang teritoryo nito, makapaghanda sa mga kalamidad at magtuloy-tuloy ang paglago ng ekonomiya.

“We still have ways to go and we will look to partners like the Republic of Korea and those present today in improving these initiatives, and in working together to make sure that the geopolitical challenges of today do not undermine the possible gains of our future,” ani Speaker Romualdez.

Umaasa si Romualdez na ang forum ay magbibigay daan upang mapalakas ang ugnayan ng Pilipinas sa ibang bansa.

“We hope this forum can serve as a bridge to connect the Philippines and the rest of the Southeast Asian region closer to our Asian and international partners,” dagdag pa ni Speaker Romualdez.

Kabilang sa mga prominenteng personalidad na nasa forum sina Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Timor Leste President Jose Ramos Horta, at dating United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.