President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is in Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit, urging fellow leaders to keep the bloc relevant through “practical, inclusive, and measurable” work. The meeting runs until October 28 and has drawn a crowded agenda — from trade and supply chains to maritime tensions and regional recovery.
Philippines’ voice at the 47th ASEAN Summit
Speaking before his counterparts, Marcos said the Philippines stands ready to help ASEAN act faster and cooperate more closely. He called for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific to move from statements to projects built on trust, fair trade, and respect for international law. He also welcomed India’s role in the coming “2026 ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” praising what he described as India’s steady observance of the rule of law.
Members of the Philippine delegation said the country sees this summit as a chance to align regional ambitions with national reforms — particularly in digital connectivity, clean energy, and maritime governance. “We want outcomes that people can measure, not just speeches,” one official told Manila reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
Regional shifts taking shape
The 47th ASEAN Summit continues with several headline moments. Timor-Leste’s formal entry as ASEAN’s 11th member was greeted with applause and questions — applause for inclusion, questions about resources. Leaders are also reviewing the “Kuala Lumpur Declaration,” which is expected to stress unity and ASEAN’s central role amid growing competition between larger powers.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been active on the sidelines, holding trade-focused talks with Southeast Asian counterparts. Trump’s new agreements with Thailand and Cambodia underscore how external powers still view ASEAN as a key arena for economic influence.
Why it matters for Manila
For the Philippines, the summit is both a stage and a preview. Marcos’s push for measurable cooperation and lawful maritime behavior hints at how Manila intends to lead when it hosts ASEAN in 2026. Analysts say the approach could give the country a stronger role in linking security and trade across the Indo-Pacific.
With one day left before the closing ceremony, the Philippines remains firmly in the regional spotlight — promoting a message that ASEAN’s strength lies in acting together, not merely meeting together.
