The Philippines will assume the chairmanship of what is now the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and host the biannual summit in Manila next year.
This is a positive development that we hope would focus on practical, inclusive, and measurable initiatives.
The last time the Philippines chaired ASEAN was in 2017.
As the incoming chair, the Philippines is optimistic that ASEAN members and China can finally adopt a legally binding Code of Conduct on the South China Sea after more than two decades of stalled negotiations.
The Philippines is also committed to achieving the ASEAN Vision 2045, which aims to build a resilient, inclusive and dynamic regional community.
We can expect President Marcos Jr. to reaffirm our commitment to “ASEAN centrality”—the principle that the regional group can be the main platform for dialogue on regional issues, rather than being dominated by outside major powers.
At this point, the ASEAN region navigates pressing regional and global challenges, including developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, threats to regional peace and maritime security, as well as the far-reaching impacts of climate change, economic volatility, and transnational crime.
The Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN next year offers therefore an opportunity to advance inclusive economic growth, maritime security, and ASEAN unity amid rising geopolitical tensions.
There’s also the prospect of attaining deeper economic cooperation and integration as well as commitment to open markets that will benefit ordinary citizens through digital connectivity, support for micro, small and medium enterprises and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Apart from these, the Philippines stands to gain from its chairmanship of ASEAN as it allows us to set the agenda, broker consensus, and showcase our diplomatic maturity.
We can likewise leverage the summit to galvanize public support for regional awareness of maritime rights and economic resilience.
A pivot toward values-based diplomacy and multilateralism will potentially position the Philippines as a bridge between Asean and global partners.
We can also push for increased cooperation with the US, Canada, Japan, and the European Union to enhance our defense posture amid tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Finally, hosting the Summit next year will enhance the Philippines’ international profile and credibility as an exponent of regional stability.
After all, ASEAN plays a crucial role in fostering regional stability, cooperation, and progress.
