Manila: Regional leaders and prominent international figures have gathered in Manila for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, with discussions expected to focus on pressing geopolitical, economic and security challenges facing the region and the wider international community.
According to the Philippine News Agency, delegations from ASEAN member states, dialogue partners and international organisations have been arriving in the country ahead of a series of high-level meetings scheduled from November 15 to 17.
Among the early arrivals were Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on November 13. Lula's schedule featured a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, during which both leaders witnessed the formalisation of agreements focusing on livestock, agriculture and the implementation of competition laws.
The arrivals continued on Saturday with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hang Chuon Naron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Reporting on the diplomatic exchanges, the Philippine News Agency noted that Carney met Marcos to witness the endorsement of a joint framework committing the Philippines and Canada to a free trade agreement by 2027.
Meanwhile, Albanese's visit comes as Manila and Canberra look to deepen bilateral defence ties.
Other leaders and dignitaries who arrived on Saturday included Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are scheduled to arrive on November 16. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and United States President Donald Trump are expected on November 17, with Trump scheduled to attend the ASEAN-United States Special Summit on the same day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Philippines from November 16 to 17 to attend the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Philippines from November 16 to 17 to attend the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
India is a strategic partner of the 11-member regional grouping, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Rudrendra Tandon, from the Ministry of External Affairs, said Modi's programme would include a dinner hosted by Marcos for visiting dignitaries, participation in the two summits and bilateral meetings with other leaders.
Tandon said India's engagement with ASEAN was a key element of its Act East Policy, alongside its bilateral relationships with all 11 member states.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said President Marcos would also hold bilateral meetings with leaders from Australia, Brazil, Japan and South Korea, while proposed meetings with India, Laos and UN chief Guterres were still being finalised.
The summit comes as the Philippines concludes its 2026 ASEAN chairship, a year marked by regional and global developments that tested the bloc's ability to respond collectively.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro characterised the country's leadership term as one that had to navigate multiple crises, including West Asia hostilities, natural calamities and uncertainties threatening traditional multilateral frameworks.
“The year brought unprecedented headwinds, particularly the crisis in the Middle East, the natural calamities that besiege our nations, and uncertainties that tested the norms of multilateralism,” Lazaro remarked during the opening proceedings of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Saturday.
She added, “As ASEAN chair, we have to wade through tumultuous waves, weather turbulent winds, and ultimately, steer through shifting currents. Despite this, we remain steadfast, pivoting our course as rough tides demand.”
President Marcos is scheduled to welcome visiting delegates at the Philippine International Convention Center on Sunday, where he will deliver his opening address to formally begin the summit plenary and Leaders' Meeting.
