PA Joey Concepcion and President Duterte briefly talk after the speech of the President. President Duterte commends the ASEAN BAC’s Alliance for Prosperity for All.

Fifty years ago, five foreign ministers formed an organization of an inter-government cooperation towards economic, social and cultural progress. This is what we call today as the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The founding fathers of ASEAN were Adam Malik (Indonesia), Narciso Ramos (Philippines), Tun Abdul Razak (Malaysia), S. Rajaratnam (Singapore), and Thanat Khoman (Thailand). The ASEAN has gradually expanded and has grown as Brunei, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam joined, completing the current 10-member countries.

Fast forward to 2017, we are celebrating a milestone in ASEAN – the 50th jubilee of the association. Philippines is fortunate and honored to host the golden year of ASEAN together with the ASEAN foreign ministers, delegates, and members of the government and private sectors. We honored the founding fathers of ASEAN for starting an organization of countries that has united amidst its diversity. Indeed, we overcame differences and stood together with one vision.

After all the impeccable performances, President Duterte cited in his speech the background of ASEAN and how its history of cooperation has advanced the collective values and interests of each member country. He added, “We proved that regionalism developed at our pace, our terms and values will work in our favor.”

We are glad President Duterte also recognized the efforts of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council and the whole private sector.

PRRD said, “Public-private partnerships must be harnessed fully to lift up our people from poverty. Indeed, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council’s Alliance for Prosperity for All is showing how an inclusive business model will help achieve the growth of our MSMEs and our people in the grassroots.”

Alliance for Prosperity for All was established with the mission to bring poverty alleviation to a bigger scale by tapping business organizations and chambers to be part of a dedicated working committee that will push for MSME development. We are keen on working closely with the government in bringing prosperity not just to the MSMEs, but also to those who are in the low lying communities in the country.

Together with the members of the Alliance for Prosperity for All and the entrepreneurs, we will develop programs which will create an enabling and sustainable environment for all enterprising individuals.

I have shared this many times already, but I think it is destiny that I am here today as the chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council. Ten years ago, it was my father who was part of this dynamic institution that has created better cooperation and communication with the member countries and its dialogue partners.

Prior to our celebration, Malaysia had their own festivity last Aug. 4. I was part of the ASEAN@50 Conference hosted by the ASEAN BAC Malaysia led by Tan Sri Dr. Mohd Munir Majid. It was only a half-day conference, but it was filled with insights from ASEAN entrepreneurs. In a forum, I shared the importance of putting MSME development at the center of ASEAN integration in order to alleviate underprivileged people out of poverty through the promotion of inclusive growth. The conference also underlined the vision of ASEAN for the next few years which will depend on our young entrepreneurs and the continuous technology innovation.

Afterwards, a dinner was hosted by ASEAN BAC Malaysia which was graced by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak. It was a grand celebration where they showed a historical account of ASEAN milestones. Awards were also given to 10 outstanding Malaysian companies who have grown and expanded in the ASEAN market.

ASEAN has proved that by putting differences aside and focusing on what bonds us – one goal of prosperity, will create an inclusive environment where no one is left behind. It is in our roots that we continuously grow together to bring more economic and social progress for all our people.

Moving forward, we look towards a more prosperous region. We should see ahead the lives of our people to be better than what they experience today. In our fast-changing and innovative state, we hope that all the 10-countries shall experience the growth that we all pursue.

Alliance for Prosperity for All is composed of business organizations and chambers that push for MSME development.