Kuala Lumpur: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday to enhance digital literacy and resilience among the region's youth to combat online scams and emerging cyber threats. The call was made during the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with ASEAN Youth, a segment of the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos highlighted the vital role of youth in fostering a people-centered community amidst the rapidly evolving technological landscape. He acknowledged that while technology brings numerous opportunities, it also presents challenges such as online scams, cyberbullying, misinformation, disinformation, and the misuse of artificial intelligence.

President Marcos emphasized the need to equip the youth with digital resilience, enabling them to critically navigate online environments and leverage technology for amplifying their voices and contributing to ASEAN's regional growth. He also encouraged young people to engage actively in collective efforts to address climate change, underlining their crucial role in building a sustainable and resilient future.

The Philippines remains committed to supporting youth-led climate initiatives. President Marcos cited the successful ASEAN Youth Climate Action and Disaster Resilience Conference held in Manila on May 1 and 2 as a testament to these efforts. He concluded by urging ASEAN leaders to unite in empowering youth and protecting the environment from further harm.