The Philippines will be pushing for a stronger regional collaboration in food security and development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) when it assumes the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.

ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) Philippines Chairman Joey Concepcion said the two key initiatives will be among the top of the region’s business agenda during Manila’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.

Conception, founder of Go Negosyo, said the ASEAN Food Security Alliance (AFSA) and the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN) will drive these efforts forward.

He said AFSA will serve as a platform for regional cooperation in agriculture and food systems.

“Through this alliance, we aim to combat poverty and enhance food resilience by harnessing the strengths of ASEAN’s leading agriculture enterprises,” he said.

AMEN, which was first launched by the Philippines during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2017, will now reinforce a regional approach to addressing food insecurity.

In particular, it will bring together agribusiness leaders and policymakers, fueling collaboration on critical programs that would help build resilience, reduce hunger, and promote inclusive growth across the 10-member bloc.

At the same time, AMEN is set to be revitalized through digital means, further strengthening mentor-to-mentor engagement while also paving access to money and markets.

Since last year, ASEAN BAC Philippines has started organizing a coalition of agribusiness companies to explore regional partnerships.

So far, collaboration with Malaysian counterparts is already underway, while engagements with Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand are also ongoing.

During the recently concluded ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ASEAN BAC Philippines forged a partnership with Malaysia’s Digital Economy Corp. (MDEC), through its digital agriculture department.

Concepcion said this collaboration will promote the adoption of digital agriculture technologies across ASEAN.

“The goal is to empower farmers and agripreneurs with innovative tools, support sustainable practices, and drive digital transformation in the agriculture sector,” he said.

Concepcion explained that digital innovation will play a crucial role in the country’s chairmanship of ASEAN next year, leveraging the private sector’s capabilities.

“The Philippines aims to lead with purpose and unity—ensuring that no one is left behind in the region’s journey toward shared prosperity,” he added.