Philippines takes helm of BIMP-EAGA, commits to inclusive and resilient growth

DAVAO CITY (November 12)— The Philippines on Tuesday officially assumed the chairmanship of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Senior Officials Meeting, vowing to sustain momentum toward inclusive and resilient growth across the sub-region.

In her opening remarks, Mindanao Developmeny Authority (MinDA) Executive Director Janet M Lopoz welcomed delegates and development partners to Davao City, calling the gathering “a return to the roots” of BIMP-EAGA — the very place where the cooperation was born more than three decades ago.

“It is truly a pleasure to see all of you gathered once again here in the heart of Mindanao — a region that stands as a symbol of the vision and spirit of BIMP-EAGA: cross-border cooperation, shared prosperity, and people-centered development,” Yayet said.

She expressed appreciation to Malaysia, the outgoing chair, for its “steadfast leadership and commitment” in pushing the sub-regional agenda forward — from improving connectivity and food security to promoting sustainable tourism and trade.

“Malaysia’s leadership has provided us with a strong foundation on which we can continue to build,” she added.

Taking over the chairmanship, the Philippines pledged to strengthen BIMP-EAGA’s cooperation amid global and regional challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and inclusive economic recovery.

“We envision a sub-region not only interconnected by infrastructure, but bound by trust, shared values, and a collective commitment to improving the lives of our people,” she said.

Lopoz underscored the significance of holding the meeting in Davao City, where the idea of BIMP-EAGA was first conceived in 1994, describing it as a reminder of the region’s enduring commitment to collaboration and solidarity.

“Through partnership, our geographically diverse yet economically complementary areas can grow and prosper together as one dynamic sub-region,” she emphasized.

She urged delegates to approach discussions with “openness, creativity, and a renewed sense of partnership” to ensure that BIMP-EAGA continues to serve as a living model of regional cooperation that delivers tangible benefits for communities.

The BIMP-EAGA Senior Officials Meeting sets the tone for upcoming ministerial-level discussions aimed at aligning development priorities under the sub-region’s Vision 2025.