By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

After multiple engagements with Indian business executives, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graced the Open Session of the 18th BRICS Summit with his presence as the representative of the 11-member ASEAN as its Chair for 2026.

Held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center in New Delhi, India on Sunday, the President addressed fellow state heads in his intervention, which focused on various aspects such as:

• Peace and centrality
• Economic prosperity
• Cooperation on maritime issues
• Compliance with international law
• People empowerment
• Development of green investment pipelines

President Marcos Jr. also highlighted ASEAN’s efforts to accelerate the landmark Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) under the Philippine Chairship and promote the safe and ethical adoption of artificial intelligence, particularly among micro, small and medium enterprises and women-led enterprises.

“ASEAN’s enduring strength lies in consensus, bridge building, and constructive engagement across regions. By anchoring peace and stability, expanding prosperity corridors, and empowering our people, we turn shared aspirations into tangible realities.”

The President’s attendance at the session forms part of the country’s participation as an “Outreach Country,” an invited non-member that may take part in the summit’s Outreach/BRICS Plus discussions without becoming a BRICS member or partner country.

BRICS is an 11-nation bloc originally established in 2006 with Brazil, India, and China serving as its founding members upon its inception, with South Africa eventually joining the fray in 2010.

Other member countries of this intergovernmental organization are as follows:

• Belarus
• Bolivia
• Cuba
• Kazakhstan
• Malaysia
• Nigeria
• Thailand
• Uganda
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam

The 18th BRICS Summit marks 20 years that have eclipsed since the group was formed and will serve as the first in-person meeting of the bloc, which has grown over the years to accommodate new member and partner countries.

Other meetings

Ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in November, the Philippines is set to host several major activities in September and October.

These include the following:

• ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meetings and Related Meetings (Sept. 14-22)
• ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Disaster Resilience (AMCDR) 2026 (Sept. 15-16)
• ASEAN Creative Industries Expo by Malikhaing Pinoy (ASEAN MPEx) 2026, ASEAN MSME Summit and other ministerial meetings (Sept. 17-21)
• ASEAN Peace Education High-Level Conference (Sept. 22-23)
• ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Retreat (ATMR) on September 29
• 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit (Sept. 29-Oct. 1)
• ASEAN Conference on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) (Oct. 6-8)
• ASEAN Conference on Investing in Care (Oct. 28-30)

In October, the Department of Energy (DOE) will lead meetings from October 5 to 9 at the PICC, while the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) will hold activities from October 6 to 9.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will also lead the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime from October 19 to 21 in Manila, while the Department of National Defense (DND) will host the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings on October 28 and 29 in Cebu.

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