President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left) joins fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for a traditional photo opportunity during the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta Indonesia in September 2023. The Philippines will assume the chairmanship of the ASEAN in 2026. (PND photo)
According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will seek to expand its influence on key regional and global issues under the Philippine chairmanship in 2026, with a strong focus on the Myanmar crisis, the South China Sea dispute, and economic integration.
Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Friday, Manalo emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to bolstering ASEAN’s influence in global affairs while deepening economic cooperation among its member states.
“We will focus on economic integration and strengthen ASEAN’s role in addressing pressing regional and global issues, particularly through ASEAN centrality,” Manalo said.
Under the Philippines’ leadership, ASEAN will prioritize discussions on the Myanmar crisis, the progress of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and Timor-Leste’s full membership in the bloc.
During an ASEAN foreign ministers’ retreat in Malaysia last January, the ministers expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict and worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and the minimal progress in implementing the ASEAN-formulated Five-Point Consensus, which aims to restore peace in the country.
Regarding the South China Sea, ASEAN leaders have urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could heighten tensions.
Manalo highlighted that the ongoing harassment of Filipino vessels by Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea remains the Philippines’ most pressing security challenge.
“The DFA’s approach aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to resolve disputes peacefully, through diplomacy, and by international law,” Manalo stated.
He reaffirmed the country’s unwavering stance in protecting Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, which aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Philippines is coordinating closely with Malaysia, the current ASEAN chair, as part of its preparations for hosting ASEAN meetings in 2026.
President Marcos accepted the ASEAN request to assume chairmanship a year earlier than scheduled following Myanmar’s withdrawal.
The last time the Philippines hosted ASEAN summits was in 2017, and it is now gearing up to lead regional discussions again, shaping the future of ASEAN amid evolving global challenges.
