Philippines to Focus on Energy and Regional Security at ASEAN Summit

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on ASEAN countries on November 12 to strengthen coordination in addressing rising oil and food prices, regional security concerns and the risk of El Niño. The Philippines hopes to make these issues priorities for discussion at the upcoming 49th ASEAN Summit.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.（VietVance）

In a video address released that day, Marcos said many of the problems facing Southeast Asian countries cannot be effectively resolved by individual countries acting alone and require coordinated regional action. He said a potential El Niño could affect agricultural production and people’s lives, and that ASEAN cooperation also concerns the interests of overseas workers, business owners and tourists.

As ASEAN chair in 2026, the Philippines hopes to use the summit to advance an agenda directly affecting people’s lives, including stabilizing prices of essential goods, ensuring security, developing agriculture, creating jobs and improving livelihoods. Marcos also said face-to-face meetings between leaders would help them discuss complex issues in depth, build mutual trust and work toward concrete cooperation arrangements.

Marcos said the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN meetings and related events in 2026 has generated orders and jobs for domestic industries including textiles, design, food services, hotels, transportation and event services, particularly benefiting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings are expected to take place in Manila from November 15 to 17.

Source: VietVance