ASEAN foreign ministers gather in Manila as regional security, trade and global tensions dominate agenda

MANILA – ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has joined foreign ministers from across Southeast Asia in Manila for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and a series of related ministerial meetings that will shape the regional bloc's priorities on security, economic integration and external relations.

Hosted by the Philippines in its capacity as ASEAN Chair for 2026, the meetings bring together ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations alongside key dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, the European Union and Russia, highlighting ASEAN's continuing role at the centre of regional diplomacy.

Dr Kao is attending the meetings at the invitation of Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, who is serving as Chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting for 2026. The programme includes plenary discussions among ASEAN foreign ministers as well as engagements with external partners through the ASEAN Plus Three, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and a series of post ministerial conferences.

The ministerial meetings come at a critical time for Southeast Asia as governments navigate increasing geopolitical competition, ongoing instability in Myanmar, maritime tensions in the South China Sea, global supply chain uncertainty and renewed concerns over energy security.

Economic cooperation is expected to feature prominently during the week, with ministers reviewing progress towards deeper regional integration and advancing negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which aims to facilitate cross border digital trade and strengthen ASEAN's position as one of the world's fastest growing digital economies. Officials are also expected to discuss supply chain resilience, investment promotion and sustainable economic growth.

Regional security remains equally high on the agenda. ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to review developments in Myanmar and efforts to advance the Five Point Consensus while continuing discussions on the long running negotiations with China over a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. Both issues remain among ASEAN's most complex diplomatic challenges.

The Manila meetings also provide an important platform for dialogue between ASEAN and major global powers. Senior diplomats from the United States, China, Russia, India, Japan, Australia and the European Union are participating in separate ministerial sessions aimed at strengthening political, economic and security cooperation with Southeast Asia.

For the Philippines, the meetings underscore its 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship under the theme Navigating Our Future, Together, with Manila seeking to reinforce ASEAN unity while positioning the regional bloc to respond collectively to emerging geopolitical and economic challenges.

The outcomes of the foreign ministers' meetings will help set the agenda for subsequent ASEAN leaders' meetings later this year, including work on regional economic integration, digital transformation, maritime cooperation, climate resilience and ASEAN's engagement with its strategic partners.

Source: ASEAN Secretariate