ASEAN summit opens in Philippines with call for unity

Detailed summary

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stresses collective decision-making among member nations to address regional challenges.

The 49th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) opened in the Philippine capital Manila, bringing together leaders of the 11-member bloc to address regional and global challenges.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose country holds the bloc's rotating chairmanship, called for unity and cooperation among member states during his opening address in Pasay City.

"We differ in size, history, culture, and circumstance, but become as equals, carrying the hopes of our peoples and the shared responsibility to transform them into a common purpose," Marcos told regional leaders on Sunday.

"We come from different shores, yet we have chosen to travel forward together," he added.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is attending as a guest of the three-day summit, held under the theme "Navigating Our Future Together."

"Today, 11 nations come together. That commitment matters even more as the waters around us turn on shifting tides, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, new technologies, climate change, and transnational threats are reshaping our region faster than any one country can respond to alone," Marcos said.

He stressed the importance of collective decision-making in addressing shared challenges and preparing the region for the future.

"Over the coming days, alongside our external partners, the choices we will make shape how ASEAN meets the challenges of today, seizes the opportunities of tomorrow, and prepares the region for the coming generations," he said.

Referring to the conflict in the Middle East, Marcos warned that Southeast Asian countries faced risks of disruptions to transport, energy and food supplies.

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