President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed his commitment to charting a path toward inclusivity and sustainability to help build a “future-proof” Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In a video message upon his return to Manila yesterday, Marcos affirmed the Philippines’ readiness to host the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in 2026, with the theme, “Navigate our Future, Together.”
“The leaders and I spoke about future-proofing our region through economic cooperation and sustainable growth,” Marcos said after his participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“As the 2026 Chair of ASEAN, the Philippines looks forward to building on the gains of Malaysia’s inclusivity and sustainability theme and carry ASEAN forward as we, as is our theme, ‘Navigate our Future, Together,’” he added.
Marcos said this year’s ASEAN summit served as a platform for Southeast Asian leaders to discuss geopolitical and economic challenges and explore ways to steer the regional bloc’s future as they address the issues “domestically, bilaterally, regionally, and globally.”
He said pressing issues such as the recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea and the current situation of Myanmar were raised during the summit.
He also described Timor-Leste’s full accession as the 11th member of the regional bloc as a “historic step that reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment to unity and inclusivity.”
“We remain committed to pursuing initiatives that will support Timor-Leste’s capacity to assume its obligations as a full member of ASEAN, with the end goal of further building a people-centered ASEAN,” he said.
Marcos noted that upgrades in the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, amendments to Free Trade Agreements, and utilization of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will enhance transparency, stability, and predictability, boosting business confidence and sustaining ASEAN’s role as a driver of regional and global growth.
He reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening partnerships with countries that share values and our commitment to peace, stability, and economic progress.
“This economic development goes hand in hand with strengthening the social-cultural community. We discussed the progress achieved and the actions moving forward for the environment, climate change, education, green jobs, and health,” he said.
