Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque has assumed the chairmanship of a ministerial body under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for next year, tasked with promoting economic integration within the 10-member bloc.

Roque was officially handed the chairship of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) on Tuesday, Sept. 23, by this year’s chair, Tengku Zafrul Aziz of Malaysia, who heads the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.

Roque said the Philippines is ready to lead ASEAN’s economic direction, as the country formally assumes the chairmanship of the regional group in January next year.

“The Philippines is ready to take on the gavel with unwavering commitment and purpose, building on your momentum to lead the region,” said Roque in a statement.

“Let me assure you that the Philippines will uphold the true spirit of ASEAN—fostering development, strengthening bonds, and deepening friendship among its member countries,” she added.

As chair of AEM, Roque said she is committed to leading ASEAN into its “next stage of economic growth and cooperation.”

The AEM is the primary body responsible for advancing the region’s economic agenda, which is composed of trade and economic ministers from the ten ASEAN member states, with Timor-Leste participating as an observer.

It is supported by senior officials, sectoral committees, and the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration.

Under the Philippines’ leadership, AEM will be setting its sights on transforming the recently adopted long-term roadmap, ASEAN Community Vision 2045, into “concrete opportunities.”

Roque said this unified vision, which comes at a time of economic disruption and geopolitical spats, should help generate jobs, stimulate innovation, and promote inclusive growth for businesses and people across the region.

As chair of this year’s ASEAN, Malaysia introduced Vision 2045 to help foster a more unified response among the 10 member states amid regional and global challenges, as well as future shocks.

The Philippines, according to Roque, will also prioritize the empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the advancement of sustainable growth, and innovation through digital and creative economies.

She said the country is intent on playing an “active role in shaping a regional economy that is dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready” next year.

Apart from the turnover ceremony of the AEM chairship, Roque said she also held high-level talks with the country’s trading partners in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to deepen economic cooperation

These partners include Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.