“Navigating Our Future, Together,” is the theme as Southeast Asian leaders converge in Manila.
The Philippines is hosting the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits from November 15 to 17, bringing regional heads of state together to address economic integration, security, and global crises. The event follows the 48th Asean Summit held in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, in May, marking the second Asean summit hosted by the country this year.
Originating on August 8, 1967, when five foreign ministers met at the principal hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs building located in Bangkok, Thailand, to execute the Bangkok Declaration, the organization currently consists of 11 member states following the admission of Timor-Leste during the 47th ASEAN Summit held in Malaysia in October 2025.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim touched down in Manila on Saturday night to take part in a busy itinerary of retreats and plenaries at the Philippine International Convention Centre, traveling alongside Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, accompanied by his wife, also arrived at the Philippine International Convention Center at 08:32 local time for the welcoming ceremony. Aside from leaders and representatives of ASEAN’s 11 members, other world leaders and guests in attendance include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The opening ceremony on Sunday morning featured the unveiling of an updated Asean emblem and flag following the inclusion of Timor-Leste as the bloc’s eleventh member, China Daily reported.
Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., serving as the chair of ASEAN 2026, delivered welcoming remarks followed by a cultural performance titled “Movement as One” highlighting the cultural diversity and shared identity of ASEAN member states. Marcos subsequently handed over the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, signed Saturday by ministers from ASEAN countries, to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
Economic Integration and Payment Networks
During the 49th Asean Summit, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong proposed developing a region-wide network of cross-border payment systems to lower transaction costs for businesses and consumers. Wong pointed to existing bilateral payment linkages between Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand as a foundation for the broader network, while also welcoming the signing of the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa).
During talks with business delegates from the region, Wong highlighted that Asean economies have expanded by roughly 4 to 5 per cent each year over recent periods, pointing out their capacity to accelerate expansion and emerge as a major economic hub over the coming decade or two.
A productive day at the ASEAN Summit in Manila! Good to catch up with fellow Leaders on digital connectivity, cross-border payments, energy security and AI. We also discussed regional challenges, including Myanmar and transboundary haze. pic.twitter.com/8uEdg6JPcX
Regional Security, Myanmar, and the South China Sea
Maritime security, transboundary haze pollution, the global energy crisis, food security, transnational crime, and the crisis in Myanmar anchor the diplomatic agenda, with leaders reviewing the implementation of Asean’s Five-Point Consensus.
According to RAPPLER, the organization maintains its position regarding the exclusion of political representation for Myanmar at ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings and ASEAN Summits until substantive headway is achieved in executing the 5PC. Myanmar has faced multiple rebel and ethnic-based armed groups fighting the military government since its February 2021 coup.
Discussions on maritime security covered a proposed Asean Maritime Centre and ongoing negotiations for a South China Sea Code of Conduct. Hopes of achieving a Code of Conduct during Manila’s year in the chair have flagged, with a Southeast Asian diplomat stating no code was expected to be signed at the summit. Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro indicated on Saturday that negotiations were 80 percent complete.
“We’re working very, very hard, we’re making good progress as a matter of fact, in terms of the code of conduct,” said Marcos Theresa Lazaro.
Lazaro also said that negotiators had finished 80 percent of the document’s paragraphs.
“The discussions have been going on for a while, and sometimes it’s a bit frustrating that just the definitions of ordinary words are becoming bones of contention,” Marcos told reporters during a press briefing on Sunday.
“But we are determined to come to an agreement and to hopefully de-escalate the situation,” she added.
Protests and Security Operations in Manila
Nearly 20,000 police and military personnel have been deployed across Metro Manila to secure the summit venues and delegations. The upcoming gathering has sparked criticism following sweep operations in Parañaque and Pasay cities alongside surrounding districts that allegedly removed homeless individuals, small merchants, and street vendors in an attempt to hide poverty throughout Metro Manila prior to the summit.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined ASEAN Leaders in their Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, held on the sidelines of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila, the Philippines. During the Interface, Youth Representatives from all… pic.twitter.com/QsK1nNm5fD
On Sunday, a crowd of approximately 200 protesters carrying signs reading “the Philippines is not for sale” and “Ban Trump!” clashed with police officers near the summit site, with at least three demonstrators taken away by authorities, Free Malaysia Today reported. At least 11 people protesting against the US-led Pax Silica initiative were arrested as the summit opened.
Special non-working days have been declared in Metro Manila from November 16 to 18. Activist Castro urged protesters to hold their demonstrations at a different time and avoid staging them while delegates are arriving on November 15.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, on 15 November 2026, attended ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), on the sidelines of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, in Manila, the Philippines. The ASEAN Leaders and the representatives of the… pic.twitter.com/Jr5PQJ0G7z
“Should any aspect be affected—including any transportation services impacted by the planned rally—the government will take the necessary steps to address it,” said Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro.
Upcoming Dialogues and Chairship Handover
The roster of planned gatherings, supplemental to the Leaders’ Summit, encompasses the 29th Asean-China Summit, the 16th Asean-United Nations Summit, the 6th Asean-Australia Summit, the 27th Asean-Republic of Korea Summit, and the 29th Asean-Japan Summit, among other engagements.
China will be represented in the Manila summit by Premier Li Qiang, who will meet ASEAN leaders on Monday but leave before Trump arrives.
Trump will participate in a special summit with Asean leaders over cocktails, attend a meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue consisting of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, and hold bilateral talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who will receive him with a red-carpet welcome and a state luncheon at the presidential palace.
Met Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan and Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila. We exchanged views on regional developments and ways to strengthen cooperation among our three countries and within ASEAN. pic.twitter.com/TdV4gWiAi6
The three-day gathering will conclude on Tuesday with further meetings and the formal handover of the Asean chairmanship from the Philippines to Singapore, with Singapore assuming the Asean chairmanship in 2027.