By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has concluded his participation in the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur and now sets his sights on following Malaysia’s steps for the Philippines’ chairship of the regional bloc in 2026.
In his arrival statement, posted by Radio Television Malacañang early Wednesday morning, the President expressed his gratitude to Malaysia for hosting the 2025 ASEAN Summit successfully.
Marcos received the gavel that symbolized the chairship of the ASEAN from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the summits’ closing ceremony on Tuesday, marking the official turnover of ASEAN leadership to the Philippines.
“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 said.
Held in Kuala Lumpur Convention Center on Oct. 26–28, the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits served as a key platform for member states and partners—the United States, Japan, India, China, South Korea, the United Nations, New Zealand, and Australia—to continue strengthening partnerships that foster peace, stability, and economic progress across the region.
“The Summit was once again an opportunity to discuss among our fellow ASEAN member states and partners how to navigate our future together amidst the various geopolitical and economic challenges that we face domestically, bilaterally, regionally, and globally,” Marcos Jr. said.
He likewise reiterated the Philippines’ unyielding commitment to defending its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international law—championing the country’s maritime interests at 13th ASEAN-U.S. Summit, 22nd ASEAN-India Summit, 20th East Asia Summit, and 28th ASEAN–Japan Summit among others.
The Chief Executive also welcomed Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the regional bloc and vowed to support the country as it contributes to building a people-centered ASEAN.
In addition, the ASEAN leaders discussed the situation in Myanmar and the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus to bring about a peaceful and lasting solution that is “Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led.”
On the economic forefront, President Marcos Jr. highlighted the strengthening of ASEAN’s trade relations with external partners through ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, as well as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
“At the time when the rules-based trading system faces significant challenges, these agreements will provide transparency, stability, and predictability—key foundations for building confidence among businesses and investors, and for sustaining ASEAN’s role as a driver of regional and global growth.”
He emphasized that economic development must go hand in hand with strengthening the socio-cultural community, adding that ASEAN leaders also discussed areas such as environment, climate change, education, green jobs, and health.
The Chief Executive also reported on the bilateral meetings he had with the leaders of Cambodia, Canada, Thailand, Japan, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to deepen bilateral relations and discussed cooperations on many fields of mutual interests… such as security and defense, maritime, climate action, trade, investment, agriculture, and people-to-people relations.”
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