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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Wednesday, October 25, 2017
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MANILA – Twenty-one heads of state and government will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the Philippines next month, said Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr.
Paynor, director general for operations of the ASEAN 2017 National Organizing Committee, said António Guterre, secretary-general of the United Nations, is also expected in the summit.
“Thus far, we have not had any indication of anyone not coming,” he said at a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday. “As long as they have not indicated that they are not coming, we assume that they are.”
But Paynor said he cannot confirm whether the leaders will be bringing their spouses.
“There have been confirmations of some leaders who will bring spouses and the confirmation is rather indirect because we asked them to submit measurements for the dress that the President and Madam will give as a gift,” he said.
Those who were unable to send the measurements will indicate nonattendance to the Nov. 13 to 15 Summit, he added.
Several meetings, such as the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the Senior Economic Officials meetings, and the Senior Economic Officials Meeting, will be held in Clark, Paynor said.
“Then they transfer. The meeting is transferred to Manila. The Ministerial Meeting will be held here, as well as the summits,” he said.
The Philippine government is ready for the hosting of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, said Paynor.
“Well, pretty much everything is set,” he said. “Most of all, our security elements are really on their toes because that is the one area that we cannot really prepare for 100 percent, so we keep on trying.”/PN
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