MANILA, Philippines – Southeast Asia’s top diplomats and dialogue partners are set to meet during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings this week to address key regional and global issues, as well as strengthen cooperation among the nations, ASEAN Spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said on Monday.
In a press briefing at the International Media Center in Parañaque City, Imperial said the engagements come at a time of increasing global instability, making discussions among ASEAN and its dialogue partners more important.
“So the AMM, PMC (Post-Ministerial Conference) and also the TAC (Treaty of Amity and Cooperation) this week [are] really very important at the moment because this is where and when ASEAN will meet with the dialogue partners and these dialogue partners are, of course, also involved in and are impacted by what's happening globally,” Imperial said.
“And this is a very good opportunity, a venue for the dialogue partners in ASEAN to engage and discuss whatever is impacting not only regionally ASEAN but also globally,” he added.
The series of meetings, scheduled from 20-24 July 2026, will be chaired by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, and attended by Foreign Ministers from ASEAN and its dialogue partners, including United States, China, the Republic of Korea, the European Union, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
Imperial also revealed that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to attend the meetings, including the ASEAN-China Post-Ministerial Conference.
He also confirmed that Secretary Lazaro is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with the Chinese foreign minister on the sidelines of the meeting, although he did not say if both officials will discuss the long-standing dispute in the South China Sea, as well as discussions on a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
On the significance of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) amid ongoing regional and global conflicts, Imperial said the milestone underscores ASEAN’s enduring commitment to peace, dialogue, and cooperation.
He said ASEAN has consistently demonstrated its ability to remain united despite geopolitical challenges by adhering to the principles of the ASEAN Charter and maintaining ASEAN Centrality.
Imperial added that bringing together the Treaty’s High Contracting Parties, comprising 58 sovereign states, during the commemorative activities sends a strong message that countries can continue to engage in dialogue and cooperation despite global tensions.
“The gathering of all these High Contracting Parties would be a good message, not only to the region but to the world, that despite what is happening, we are still able to sit down together and discuss what is very important for the region and for the world,” he said.
