President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos formally welcomed Southeast Asian leaders during the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit on Friday, May 8, held at the Mactan Expo in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
The President and First Lady personally greeted heads of state, government representatives, and delegates as they arrived for the high-level gathering, marking the official start of the summit under the Philippines’ chairmanship. The Philippines is hosting the summit for the fourth time. In his opening remarks, Marcos emphasized the importance of unity and deeper regional cooperation in addressing modern-day challenges faced by Southeast Asia. He called on leaders to work collectively toward a more resilient, prosperous, and cohesive ASEAN community. “Over the past months, each of our countries has had to make adjustments to modify our approaches. So we come together now to study those adjustments, to find the best approaches, to face the future together,” Marcos said in his speech during the opening ceremony. “For ASEAN has always drawn its strength not from uniformity, but from unity. So as we begin our work today, let our discussions be guided by wisdom, openness, and our enduring commitment to one another,“ he added. Marcos Jr. highlighted the importance of addressing the effects of the Middle East conflict. “The increasingly volatile situation in the Middle East has impacted our region, challenging us to remain agile in the face of uncertainties…. Many of our countrymen continue to look to us, their leaders, not only for stability but for reassurance and for hope,” Marcos said.
“The work of ASEAN must continue, not despite the challenges, but because the times demand our answers to those challenges, for our peoples, for our countries, for ASEAN,” he also said.
Marcos also emphasized that if there is one enduring lesson ASEAN has learned over the decades, it is that “difficult times do not divide“ the region. “For ASEAN, challenges present us with opportunities that have further strengthened our resolve to work more closely, listen more carefully, and to act more purposefully," said Marcos. “I thank you for your presence and welcome you to the 48th ASEAN Summit,“ the President concluded his speech. Marcos also showcased Cebu’s historical significance, noting that the province was among the first areas in the country to establish international connections. Leaders from 11 countries attended the summit, including Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, whose country is participating as a full member of ASEAN for the first time. Timor-Leste was formally admitted as the bloc’s 11th member in October 2025 after a 14-year accession process. The ceremony featured the traditional ASEAN handshake and a “family photo” session among leaders and their spouses, symbolizing unity among member states. The opening rites set the stage for a series of high-level discussions aimed at advancing regional priorities and strengthening cooperation. “From economic resilience to regional stability, the Summit opens with a shared commitment to work together and deliver outcomes that matter for the people of ASEAN,” the Palace said in a statement. Key agenda items include energy and food security, as well as the safety of ASEAN nationals amid rising global tensions. Leaders are also expected to issue a joint statement addressing the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The summit will be followed by plenary sessions and related meetings throughout the day. Marcos is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting later in the afternoon with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The 48th ASEAN Summit continues in Cebu with leaders aiming to strengthen partnerships and chart a unified path forward for the region.
