First Lady previews PICC, Coconut Palace as Asean forum 2026 venues

(L-R) Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Aung Kyaw Moe, Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Mamet, Indonesia’s Vice Prime Minister Ma’ruf Amin and East Timor’s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao pose on stage during the 44th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane on October 9, 2024. (FILE photo by NHAC NGUYEN / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines – First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos visited the Philippine International Convention Center and the Coconut Palace as these historic places would be the venues for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) forum 2026.

Marcos shared the news in a post on Instagram on Wednesday.

“As we gear up for Asean 2026, we visited the PICC and Coconut Palace – some of the venues which will play key roles in the Summits,” she said.

“These iconic landmarks were envisioned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos to showcase Filipino artistry on the world stage. Now, nearly five decades later, these historic venues will once again take center stage as we welcome leaders of Asean and its Dialogue Partners next year,” she added.

The Philippines is slated to host the Asean Tourism Forum, an annual gathering of Southeast Asian tourism ministers, in Cebu, Manila and Boracay next year.

READ: ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026: PH to host it in Cebu, Boracay

The Department of Tourism earlier confirmed that Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, representing the Philippines, formally accepted the chairmanship of the ATF 2026 during a ceremonial handover held at the Johor International Convention Center on Jan. 20.