Kuala lumpur: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday formally accepted the Philippines’ role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2026. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim turned over the ASEAN chairship gavel to Marcos during the closing ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos emphasized that the Philippines will advocate for inclusive initiatives to enhance the region’s security, economy, and people amid an evolving regional landscape. “ASEAN is our ship, and 2026 will be the year when we set full sail together toward our shared horizon,” he stated. Guided by the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Philippines aims to reinforce peace and security, strengthen economic corridors, and promote people empowerment.
These priorities will guide Manila in driving ASEAN toward a future centered on peace, prosperity, and people. Marcos highlighted that these aspirations aim to ensure ASEAN’s integration agenda translates into tangible opportunities for business growth, community thriving, and inclusive progress. As the 2026 ASEAN chair, the Philippines plans to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and support Timor-Leste’s further integration into the regional bloc.
Marcos also reiterated that ASEAN, under Manila’s leadership, will promote dialogue, international law adherence, and cooperation on security issues. “Our compass must remain constant, anchored in cooperation,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of a stable, secure region built on a shared vision of an open, inclusive, and rules-based ASEAN architecture.
ASEAN Centrality will remain at the core of the initiatives, as Marcos asserted the goal to continue the collective work of predecessors rather than diverge from past chairships. He commended Malaysia’s leadership over the past year, acknowledging its clarity and conviction in steering the bloc, and expressed Manila’s commitment to build upon Malaysia’s achievements.
The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings welcomed leaders from the 11 ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners, including US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Key milestones reached during the summit included the official admission of Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th member and the signing of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol.
