MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo is leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam this morning to participate in the two-day 16th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
Mrs. Arroyo will board a chartered Philippine Airlines flight at 9 a.m. accompanied by a lean delegation including Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Press Secretary Crispulo Icban, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, and Trade Secretary Jesli Lapus.
The President will raise initiatives in the summit, including proposals for a collective action to address climate change, palace officials said.
This year’s regional summit has the theme “Towards the ASEAN Community: From Vision into Action.”
Romulo said Mrs. Arroyo will also offer to host the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Secretariat in Manila.
The President will also have a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the sidelines of the summit to discuss the Malaysia-brokered peace talks ongoing between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Mrs. Arroyo is scheduled to return tomorrow at 7 p.m.