About the 30th ASEAN Summit

April 29th, 2017 - the 30th ASEAN Summit, a summit of the top delegates from Southeast Asian countries gathered annually, took place at the Philippine International Convention Center amid the current issues surrounding not just in the Philippines but across Asia.

This is the first ASEAN Summit for Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte since he took power at the end of June, last year, and the theme for this year's summit draws inspiration from his campaign slogan; Partnering For Change, Engaging The World.

President Duterte, who became the center of attention from the media for his infamous war on drugs and extrajudicial killings that killed thousands of people since he took office, hosted this year's summit and in his opening speech, it's an honor to have the Philippines hosted this summit for this milestone year as the year 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN since 1967.

While the ASEAN leaders talked little about the ongoing South China Sea issue, they've signed a declaration that will boost the ASEAN's civil service to achieve Vision 2025. This Declaration supports the first thematic priority of a people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN under the Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017, according to Philippine Civil Service Commission Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala.