MANILA — Southeast Asian leaders and international dignitaries began arriving in the Philippine capital Manila on Saturday ahead of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings scheduled to begin Sunday.
The three-day gathering, chaired by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will focus on regional security, economic integration and strengthening cooperation with international partners.
Among those arriving Saturday were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, according to the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hang Chuon Naron also arrived in Manila.
At least 19 world leaders and heads of international institutions are expected to participate in the summit and related meetings, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a special ASEAN-US summit on Nov. 17, highlighting Washington’s engagement with the Southeast Asian bloc.
Ahead of the summit, ministers from ASEAN’s 11 member states signed the Digital Economy Framework Agreement on Saturday, the Philippine News Agency reported.
The agreement aims to strengthen regional digital economic integration by facilitating cross-border digital trade, electronic payments, data protection and cybersecurity cooperation.
The initiative is expected to support closer economic coordination among member states as the region seeks to expand digital connectivity and strengthen its position in the global economy.
More than 100 outcome documents are expected to be adopted or issued during the summit, addressing regional security, trade, investment and cooperation with international partners.
The meetings will also provide a platform for discussions on regional challenges and opportunities for closer collaboration between ASEAN members and their international counterparts.
The Philippines will formally hand over ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship to Singapore during the summit’s closing ceremony on Tuesday.
Source: Saudi Gazette