(9 January 2025, Singapore) Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, in his keynote address at the 2025 Regional Outlook Forum (ROF), held on 9 January 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore, highlighted the enduring relevance of resilience and cooperation in navigating a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by geopolitical rivalries, economic uncertainties, and emerging challenges in areas that include maritime, cyber, and outer space governance. 

Speaking on the theme “Resilience Amid Global Winds of Change” and addressing the topic “Can the spirit of cooperation shine through turbulent times?”, Secretary Manalo addressed an audience of more than 500 policymakers, diplomats, academics and thought leaders, emphasizing the importance of resilience and cooperation in an era of unparalleled global uncertainty.

The Forum was graced by Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who served as the Guest of Honor at the event’s lunch reception.

This year’s ROF,  the annual flagship event of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, a leading training and research center in Singapore, focused on the pressing need for resilience amid disruptions caused by geopolitical, technological, and economic upheavals. With the trajectory of global developments poised to shift dramatically, particularly in light of the recent US presidential election, Secretary Manalo noted that these challenges demand innovative solutions rooted in collaboration and shared purpose.

“Strategic competition, especially between the United States and China, has sharpened polarities, and constraints to an extent that states are less able or unwilling to cooperate substantively,” the Philippine Foreign Minister stated. “The future of the region, if not the world, is not being set by one or two powers, but by many actors”, he added. These actors, he said, are succeeding in actively driving new conversations on resilience, sustainability, and transformation.

Highlighting the Forum’s discussions, Secretary Manalo stressed that pathways to resilience lie in deepening regional economic integration, securing access to vital markets and technologies, and accelerating both the green transition and digital transformation.

ASEAN as a Beacon of Cooperation

Drawing on ASEAN’s six-decade legacy, Secretary Manalo praised its role as a cornerstone of regional stability and growth, stating that ASEAN’s inclusive and constructive processes continue to promote dialogue and collaboration. He said that ASEAN “must continue making decisive calls and implementing far-seeing measures in order to sustain its centrality in the region”.

He also underscored the importance of navigating maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and the need for a credible and effective Code of Conduct anchored in international law. “Getting governance right in the maritime commons, and applying the best of science, international law and norms to manage them, are key to maintaining peace in the region,” he added. 

Underscoring ASEAN’s pivotal role as a driver of peace and dialogue, Secretary Manalo called for innovative and inclusive approaches to resilience-building, rooted in adherence to international law and multilateralism. He also stressed that despite global unrest, collaboration remains central to addressing shared challenges and fostering a stable, rules-based international order.

Regional Resilience Amid Global Disruptions

Secretary Manalo’s remarks reflected on how nations, particularly in Southeast Asia, must adapt to potential global fragmentation driven by the resurgence of isolationism and protectionism. He stressed that in these turbulent times, the spirit of cooperation not only shines but must thrive, and that while great power rivalries persist, cooperation among nations at all levels is crucial in addressing challenges that transcend borders, from climate change to maritime security and digital governance.

Pioneering South-South Cooperation

Secretary Manalo likewise pointed to the flourishing of south-south cooperation, which has allowed nations with shared development goals to craft tailored solutions to global challenges. He noted that over the past decade, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, for example, had pioneered development models tailored to shared challenges, independent of Western funding. 

A Call to Action for Resilient Cooperation

Secretary Manalo also reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to advancing a rules-based international order, robust multilateralism, and inclusive dialogue. He made a call for policymakers to sustain and adapt the postwar architecture of cooperation, to ensure that collective endeavors withstand the pressures of fragmentation. 

Following his address, Secretary Manalo engaged with the audience in a Q&A session moderated by Professor Chan Heng Chee, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including ASEAN’s relevance, South-South Cooperation, Philippine relations with the U.S. and China, regional conflicts, the South China Sea, and other pressing geopolitical challenges.

The Secretary’s keynote address set the tone for the 2025 ROF, preceding 5 panel sessions which explored the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape of Southeast Asia, analyzing power shifts among major players like the US, China, and Japan, alongside the region’s responses to economic fragmentation, security challenges, and environmental transitions. The sessions also discussed national developments in Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia, examining leadership dynamics, policy priorities, and the implications for regional stability and international diplomacy.

The transcript of the keynote address of Secretary Manalo is available here.

More information on the 2025 ROF is available here: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/rof2025/ (END).