President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will represent the Philippines at the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits, scheduled in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 26 to 28 October 2025.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the President’s participation during a Palace press briefing on Friday.

DFA Spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the gathering will bring together leaders of ASEAN member states, dialogue partners, and representatives from international organizations.

“The summit is a mechanism for leaders to provide policy direction for ASEAN, build consensus on matters of mutual interest, and exchange views on key regional and international issues,” Escalona said.

President Marcos is expected to take part in 14 leaders-level meetings and witness three signing ceremonies during the three-day summit. Among the key documents to be signed is the Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN as the bloc’s 11th member. He will also witness the signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade.

Escalona added that in these engagements, the President will advance Philippine interests in ASEAN by strengthening regional security and stability, enhancing economic cooperation, and broadening engagement with dialogue partners.

The summit will also address pressing global and regional issues, including the situation in Myanmar, economic uncertainties, and evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges. Around 80 outcome documents are expected to be issued, adopted, or noted during the meetings.

On the sidelines, Marcos is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several counterparts to explore new cooperation opportunities and reinforce existing partnerships.

A highlight of the closing day on 28 October will be the formal handover of the ASEAN chairship from Malaysia to the Philippines.

Escalona said Manila looks forward to continuing ASEAN’s work and strengthening community-building efforts across the region.

“Building upon the success of previous ASEAN chairs, the Philippines will take this opportunity to introduce how we will steer the future of the region and beyond by galvanizing community-building efforts during our chairship,” she said.

The upcoming Philippine chairship marks an important milestone for the country as it prepares to lead the regional bloc amid a shifting global landscape and complex security and economic challenges.