Manila: The Philippines, through the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), will chair the 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting (AFMGM) and its related meetings this week. The meetings, to be held from Tuesday to Friday, will convene finance leaders and central bank governors from across Southeast Asia, and key partner institutions.

According to Philippines News Agency, the meetings will be conducted virtually in line with the directive to optimize resources amid the fuel price hikes due to the conflict in the Middle East. Anchored on the Philippines' ASEAN Chairship theme, 'Navigating Our Future, Together,' the meetings will focus on strengthening regional financial cooperation to support resilient growth, expand access to finance, and mobilize investments for infrastructure and climate transition.

Discussions are expected to advance ASEAN's shared goal of building credible and responsive financial systems that can better withstand global uncertainties while unlocking opportunities for businesses and communities across the region. Finance ministers and central bank governors will tackle priority areas of cooperation that directly support economic activity and financial inclusion, such as capital markets development, sustainable finance, and regional payments connectivity, alongside enhanced cooperation on taxation, customs, treasury operations, and banking systems.

The meetings will also review progress under the Roadmap for ASEAN Monetary and Financial Integration and ongoing initiatives toward the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030.