Preparations are well underway for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said, admitting that “key issues” such as the South China Sea and Myanmar will be among the topics.
(Photo from DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo via X post)
At the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Friday, Jan. 31, the official shared that preparations have began since last year with the creation of the ASEAN National Organizing Committee under the office of the Executive Secretary.
“Ngayon, araw-araw nagmi-meet na iyan or at least every other week sa preparations kasi one-year itong chairmanship. Nagpi-prepare tayo sa mga meetings – ang daming meetings sa ASEAN. Iyon ang mga preparations for logistics (The committee meets every day or at least every other week for the preparations because the chairmanship will run for one year. We are preparing for the meetings—ASEAN has many meetings. Preparations for logistics),” he said.
“Pero naghahanda na rin kami sa mga preparations din sa mga issues and I’m sure iyong mga mangyayari diyan, mga key issues (But we are also preparing for the issues and I’m sure that’s what’s gonna happen, the key issues),” the DFA chief added.
While some issues may still crop up throughout the year, Manalo said the “key issues” would be the Myanmar crisis, the progress on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and Timor-Leste's ASEAN membership.
During the ASEAN retreat in Malaysia in January, the foreign ministers conveyed "deep concern over the escalation of conflicts and humanitarian situation" in Myanmar and lamented the "minimal progress" on the implementation of the ASEAN-formulated Five-Point Consensus in Myanmar.
ASEAN’s top diplomats also called on parties in the South China Sea to "exercise self-restraint" and "avoid actions that may further complicate the situation."
Meanwhile, Manalo said the Philippines has also been coordinating with Malaysia, ASEAN’s current chair, as the latter is concerned whether Manila will push through with its priority of ASEAN community building.
While there are plans to enhance the ASEAN community through economic, political, and economic integration, the DFA chief stressed the need to strengthen the regional bloc’s influence in global issues.
“ASEAN should play a larger role in a … will try to play a larger role sa mga issues sa region natin (in our regional issues), including issues like, as I mentioned earlier, Myanmar, perhaps South China Sea at saka iyong mga ibang issues (and other issues),” he added.
The planned strengthening of the ASEAN community, the official explained, will benefit the whole bloc in terms of trade, investment, and tourism.