President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippines will assume the ASEAN Chairship in 2026, following Malaysia’s term.

In his arrival statement after attending the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Marcos vowed to continue ASEAN’s thrust toward unity, inclusivity, and sustainability as the region navigates future challenges together.

The President met with leaders of Cambodia, Canada, Thailand, Japan, the EU, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Nations Secretary-General, and discussed ways to further strengthen our partnerships and expand cooperation in strategic areas.

“I thank them for expressing their support for our ASEAN Chairship in 2026,” President Marcos added.

The President also said “the Philippine delegation and I are grateful to Malaysia, the Chair of ASEAN this year, and our generous host for the successful 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits and 2025 Chairship of ASEAN.”

“During the closing ceremony of the summits, Malaysia turned over the ASEAN Chairship to us. 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,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos also shared that “during this past 47th summit, we welcomed the full accession of Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN. This is a historic step that reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment to unity and inclusivity.”

“We remain committed to pursuing initiatives that will support Timor-Leste’s capacity to assume its obligations as a full member of ASEAN, with the end goal of further building a people-centered ASEAN,” the President noted. | PND

Source: Official Portal of the Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines

Original publication date: 28 October 2025

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Summit was attended by Heads of State/Government and High Representatives of the EAS participating countries. The President of BRICS and the President of G20 also attended the Open Session, as guests of the Chair, and briefed the Meeting on their respective cooperation with the EAS to advance economic resilience and boost sustainable growth.

In the momentous 20th EAS anniversary, the Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political, and economic issues of mutual interest and concern in the region. The Leaders also adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Twentieth Anniversary of the EAS and thematic statements on relevant issues.

Senior Officials of the EAS participating countries gathered for the second time this year for the East Asia Summit Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meeting (EAS Prep-SOM) in Port Dickson, Malaysia. The Meeting discussed preparations for the 20th East Asia Summit, to be held in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community led the ASEAN Secretariat delegation. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

The 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur today. The Meeting reviewed ongoing EAS cooperation and discussed its future direction, while also exchanged views on regional and international developments. The EAS participating countries reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening the EAS as the Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on strategic, political, and economic issues of mutual interest and concern in the region, particularly in view of the 20th anniversary of the EAS this year. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers or their representatives from EAS participating countries and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

Today, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim received the ASEAN Chairmanship gavel from the Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, during the Closing Ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits and Handing Over Ceremony of the ASEAN Chairmanship in Vientiane. The symbolic event marks the assumption of Malaysia as the Chair of ASEAN next year, which will officially commence on 1 January 2025.

The ceremony was attended by the Leaders and representatives of ASEAN Member States, as well as Timor Leste as Observer country. Also in attendance were Ministers and senior officials from all ASEAN Member States.

During the ceremony, the Prime Minister also unveiled the official logo and theme for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

In his address, the Prime Minister expressed that Malaysia was honoured to assume the role of Chair of ASEAN for 2025. He underscored Malaysia's commitment to guiding ASEAN towards strengthening regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of 2025 as it marks the 10th anniversary of the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community. Additionally, the Prime Minister stated that next year, ASEAN will adopt the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which will chart the shared future of ASEAN for the next two decades.

The Prime Minister also shared Malaysia’s vision for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, centred on the chosen theme, pledging to ensure that no one is left behind. He emphasised Malaysia’s aim to enhance regional cooperation through dialogue and collaboration. Guided by ASEAN Centrality, he stressed that Malaysia will work closely with all ASEAN Member States and external partners to champion an open, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture.

The ceremony concluded with a video montage of Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship 2025.

Source: Official Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia

Original publication date: 11 October 2024

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the 19^th East Asia Summit (EAS), held in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The 19^th EAS was attended by Heads of State/Government and High Representatives of the EAS participating countries, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and Timor-Leste as Observer. The President of the European Council and the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation attended the Open Session and briefed the Meeting on enhancing connectivity and on economic integration.

The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as the premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern.

Senior Officials of the EAS participating countries gathered for the second time this year for the East Asia Summit Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meeting (EAS Prep-SOM) in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The Meeting discussed preparations for the 19^th East Asia Summit scheduled to be held in October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community led the ASEAN Secretariat delegation. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn today participated in the 14^th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting convened in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Meeting reviewed EAS cooperation and discussed its future direction, as well as exchanged views on regional and international developments. The EAS participating countries reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS as a Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern in the region.

The East Asia Summit (EAS) Senior Officials’ Meeting took place today in Vientiane, Lao PDR with the participation of Senior Officials of all EAS participating countries or their representatives and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community. Timor-Leste attended as Observer. The meeting reviewed progress in EAS practical cooperation, discussed preparations for the 14^th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July and the 19^th EAS in October, as well as exchanged views on regional and international developments.

The Third Meeting of the Group of East Asia Summit (EAS) Participating Countries’ Ambassadors to ASEAN in Jakarta (EAS Group) (3/2024 EAS Group Meeting) was held today at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting reviewed the implementation of the EAS Plan of Action 2024-2028, discussed preparations for the upcoming 19^th East Asia Summit in October, and exchanged views on regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives. Ambassadors of the EAS Participating Countries or their representatives, and the ASEAN Secretariat were in attendance. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.