MANILA — ASEAN will continue to navigate its future together, even as the Philippines shifts preparatory meetings for its 2026 Chairship to virtual formats — a timely and necessary move in response to evolving developments in the Middle East and their impact on regional priorities, particularly energy security.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered a recalibration of the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN 2026, scaling down non-essential activities “in order to save on expenses and focus on the most important,” according to Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto.
As part of this directive, approximately 650 preparatory meetings will now be conducted online.
The upcoming Leaders’ Summit in May will tackle urgent priorities, including energy security, food security, and migrant workers’ concerns. It will proceed as an in-person meeting but on a “very bare bones” format.
To implement the directive, the ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC), chaired by Recto, issued a 27 March memorandum directing the host agencies to conduct virtually all preparatory meetings — from working groups to ministerial.
Even as formats evolve, ASEAN cooperation remains steady and purposeful, ensuring that the region continues to respond collectively and decisively to shared challenges.
