MANILA, Philippines — The 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits opened in Manila on Sunday, with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. formally declaring the three-day gathering underway.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center, Marcos, the 2026 Asean chair, called for regional unity and shared responsibility, describing Asean as “different nations moving with common purpose, each sharing responsibility, unified in action, for the strength of the whole.”
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The summit, which runs from Nov. 15 to 17, brings together leaders from Asean member states and their dialogue partners to discuss regional priorities and chart the bloc’s direction amid political, security and economic challenges. /dl