Marcos pitches unified ASEAN amid global shifts

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. flew to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to attend the 46th ASEAN Summit, bringing with him a strong agenda focused on regional unity, economic resilience, digital governance and the long-term future of Southeast Asia.

At the heart of the summit, which runs from 26 to 27 May, is a growing urgency to address United States tariff hikes that could reshape global trade flows. Marcos revealed that informal consultations had already taken place among ASEAN leaders to chart a collective response.

“We have already made informal consultations with our fellow member states and their representatives with the Chairman, PM Anwar [Ibrahim], on this subject,” Marcos said before departing from Villamor Air Base. “It is something that we have to discuss, and it is something that we have to respond to.”

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin leads the caretaker committee in Marcos’ absence.

While ASEAN members have varying levels of exposure to global markets, Marcos emphasized the need to craft a unified stance despite “disparate situations the different member states are operating under.”

Originally centered on inclusivity and sustainability, the summit has since expanded to confront pressing challenges, including maritime security threats, climate change, and digital disruption.

“At this Summit, I will join fellow ASEAN leaders in reaffirming our commitment to ASEAN Centrality,” Marcos said, citing the bloc’s role in navigating tensions in the South China Sea, the Myanmar crisis, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

The Philippines, he said, will push for a common ASEAN framework for ethical and responsible AI, rooted in shared values.

Beyond high-level talks, the summit also serves as a platform for long-term vision-setting. Marcos is expected to witness the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045, which aims to position ASEAN as a cohesive, responsive, and forward-looking community over the next two decades.

The President will also chair the 16th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit and join related meetings with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China.

Possible bilateral meetings include engagements with leaders of Laos, Vietnam, and Kuwait. Supporting Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession, contrary to recent statements by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, is also on the agenda.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary and incoming Secretary Tess Lazaro, who is accompanying Marcos in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to welcoming the region’s potential 11th member.

“We committed to supporting Timor-Leste’s accession process and contributing to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 implementation,” Lazaro said following the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo met Brunei’s Foreign Minister II Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof to finalize terms for a working group on maritime cooperation.

The agreement, signed during Marcos’ 2023 state visit to Brunei, seeks to strengthen collaboration on marine pollution control, research, training, and information exchange.

“We both look forward to further strengthening maritime cooperation between our countries,” Manalo said, noting existing deals between the two nations on agriculture, food security, and tourism.