The Philippines will host the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits from 15 to 17 November, bringing regional leaders and global partners to Manila…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Philippines is preparing to welcome heads of state and government from across the region and beyond for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, scheduled to take place in Manila from 15 to 17 November 2026. The meetings are expected to bring together leaders from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to discuss regional cooperation, economic resilience and shared global challenges.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will chair the summit, which will open on 15 November at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The programme will include plenary and retreat sessions, during which ASEAN leaders will review the Philippines’ achievements as chair and discuss ways to strengthen the bloc’s collective capacity to address emerging regional and international challenges.
The discussions are expected to cover developments in Myanmar and other issues affecting the region. ASEAN leaders will also hold meetings with representatives of the ASEAN Parliamentarians, the business community and youth groups.
Leaders from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam are expected to join Marcos at the summit. Myanmar will be represented by the Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department of its Foreign Ministry.
The plenary will also feature remarks from the leaders of Brazil and Canada, as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which have been invited as guests of the chair. Their participation is intended to underline ASEAN’s engagement with key international partners on regional economic resilience and shared challenges in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
The discussions will also reflect the Philippines’ priorities under its chairmanship, particularly the promotion of Prosperity Corridors.
The Related Summits, also known as the Plus One Summits, will begin on 16 November and continue until 17 November. The meetings will provide an opportunity for ASEAN and its dialogue partners to reaffirm existing partnerships and strengthen cooperation on regional and global priorities.
The dialogue partners expected to participate are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, the United Nations and the United States. Their leaders will join Marcos in co-chairing the Related Summits.
New Zealand will be represented by its Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister.
On 17 November, Marcos will convene the 29th ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit (EAS). The EAS is a leaders-led forum that provides a platform for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political and economic issues of common concern to countries in the region.
The Philippine President will also lead the closing ceremony and hand over the ASEAN chairmanship to Singapore.
The day’s programme will conclude with the ASEAN-United States Special Summit, which will be attended by US President Donald J. Trump.
Under the chairmanship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Philippines has said it aims to strengthen dialogue, deepen partnerships and promote collective responses to shared challenges.
The country has also emphasised its commitment to advancing an ASEAN that is peaceful, resilient and future-ready, with regional cooperation delivering tangible benefits for its people.
