Transboundary haze, energy, food security high on ASEAN meet agenda – DFA

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MANILA – The Philippines, serving as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026, is looking to adopt various outcome documents by the e...

ASEAN PRESS CONFERENCE. Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for ASEAN Affairs Dax Imperial speaks to the press at the newly opened ASEAN International Media Center in Pasay City on Friday (Nov. 13, 2025). He said the Philippines, serving as the 2026 ASEAN chair, is looking to adopt various outcome documents by the end of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, including additional measures on energy and food security, as well as transboundary haze. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)

MANILA – The Philippines, serving as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026, is looking to adopt various outcome documents by the end of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, including additional measures on energy and food security, as well as transboundary haze, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.

Foreign affairs ministers are set to meet on Nov. 14 for the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings, to be followed by the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings of world leaders at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Nov. 15 to 17.

On transboundary haze, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for ASEAN Affairs Dax Imperial said foreign ministers will first identify possible measures and elevate the recommendations to the leaders’ level.

In September, widespread forest fires in Indonesia triggered severe haze that reached several Southeast Asian states, including the Philippines, leading to poor air quality that prompted authorities to suspend classes.

“I'm unable to preempt the discussions because the decision to identify the measures will, of course, lie really on the discussions of the foreign ministers and, eventually, the leaders. But there is awareness and also commitment among ASEAN to address this issue,” Imperial said in a press conference at the International Media Center in Pasay City.

Beyond this, he said, the summit week will cover issues on transnational crime and online scams, where leaders will come up with new measures to protect migrant workers in…

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