President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called for stronger collaboration, innovation, and political will to maintain the momentum of growth within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Speaking at the 16th BIMP-EAGA Summit held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia, Marcos highlighted the tangible benefits the regional cooperation has already delivered.
“As we convene today, let us take this opportunity to not only celebrate these milestones, but to also affirm our shared vision for a more integrated, prosperous, and resilient BIMP-EAGA,” Marcos said.
He emphasized the need for “greater synergy, innovation, and political will” among member countries to sustain progress, especially as the BIMP-EAGA approaches the culmination of its Vision 2025 blueprint.
The Vision 2025 outlines strategies to reduce development gaps, promote connectivity, manage resources sustainably, and align with regional and global trends. Marcos cited how joint initiatives in connectivity, trade, food and energy security, eco-tourism, and green development have advanced the region’s inclusive and sustainable growth.
“Together, we have laid down stronger foundations for inclusive, sustainable and innovation-driven growth,” he said. “Our joint initiatives… have advanced significantly, reinforcing our commitment to narrowing the development gap in our sub-region.”
BIMP-EAGA was established in 1994 to promote growth in remote and less-developed areas of the four participating Southeast Asian countries. This year, the Philippines chairs the summit.