MANILA, Philippines | World leaders and senior international officials have begun arriving in the Philippines ahead of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits, scheduled for November 15 to 17, bringing regional and global leaders together to discuss security, economic cooperation and pressing international concerns.
Among those who arrived on Saturday, November 14, were United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hang Choun Naron also arrived for the meetings. At least 19 world leaders and heads of international institutions are expected to participate in the summit and its related gatherings.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will lead the meetings, which will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
Among the major issues on the agenda are regional security, trade and investment, maritime cooperation, and the continuing political crisis in Myanmar. Leaders are also expected to discuss tensions in the South China Sea and the impact of geopolitical and economic developments on Southeast Asia.
A key concern will be the implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, which calls for an end to violence, humanitarian assistance and dialogue among the parties involved in the conflict.
Maritime security is also expected to figure prominently, particularly negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The proposed framework aims to establish clearer rules and mechanisms to prevent incidents and promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The related meetings will include the ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the East Asia Summit, bringing together ASEAN leaders and representatives of partner countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.
US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit on November 17, while Chinese Premier Li Qiang is also expected to participate in the related meetings.
This year’s gathering carries the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” highlighting regional unity, stronger economic partnerships and cooperation amid changing global political and economic conditions.
The summit also follows a historic development in ASEAN’s expansion, with Timor-Leste becoming the organization’s 11th member on October 26, 2025, during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Founded on August 8, 1967, through the Bangkok Declaration signed by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, ASEAN has developed into a major regional organization promoting political, economic, social and security cooperation among Southeast Asian nations.
The Philippines is set to conclude its ASEAN chairmanship during the summit, with Singapore scheduled to take over the rotating chairmanship on November 17.
DC Alviar
Professor DC Alviar is a tenured associate professor at National University (NU) Manila and a steering committee member of the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO). He has contributed to NU's community extension initiatives that introduced the five disciplines of a learning organization (Senge, 1990) to communities within a local government unit. He writes and edits local reports for Mega Scene. He graduated with Master of Development Communication (MDC) and Doctor of Communication (DComm) degrees from the University of the Philippines (UP) Open University in Los Baños and was awarded with a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) SIKAP grant. He previously served as editor-in-chief of The Adamson News and his high school publication Ang Ugat.
- DC Alviar
- DC Alviar
- DC Alviar
- DC Alviar
