World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
ASEAN leaders meet in Manila as Philippines prepares to hand chair to Singapore
ASEAN leaders are meeting in Manila from Nov 15 to 17 for the bloc’s annual summit and related talks.
The Philippines holds the rotating chairmanship this year and will pass it to Singapore at the summit’s close.
Singapore’s Lawrence Wong will take over the chairmanship when it begins on Jan 1, 2027, and will outline Singapore’s plans during the handover.
Leaders are expected to discuss regional cooperation, digital and green economies, energy security and ties with outside partners.
Trade risks are also in focus, as US tariffs and possible further duties raise questions about the outlook for Southeast Asian exports.
Conflict discussions include Myanmar and the South China Sea, as well as wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The summit is also expected to address peace and stability, but no breakthroughs on these conflicts are anticipated.
ASEAN leaders are gathering in Manila for the bloc’s annual summit and related meetings from Nov 15 to Nov 17.
The Philippines is handing over ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship to Singapore at the summit’s closing ceremony on Nov 17.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is attending and will outline his country’s plans for its 2027 chairmanship.
Leaders are expected to discuss regional cooperation, trade, digital and green economies, and international conflicts.
The summit comes amid concern over US tariffs and wider trade disruption in Southeast Asia.
- Who
- Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are meeting, with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong among those attending.
- What
- They are holding the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, with a symbolic handover of the bloc’s chairmanship from the Philippines to Singapore.
- When
- Nov 15 to Nov 17, 2026.
- Where
- Manila, the capital of the Philippines.
- Why
- To discuss ASEAN cooperation and regional and international issues, and to mark the transfer of the bloc’s chairmanship.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The ASEAN Summit and related meetings are scheduled to begin in Manila.
The summit’s closing ceremony is scheduled to include the symbolic handover of the ASEAN chairmanship from the Philippines to Singapore.
Singapore’s ASEAN chairmanship is scheduled to officially begin.
- Summit
- 49th ASEAN Summit
- Location
- Manila, Philippines
- Dates
- Nov 15–17, 2026
- Outgoing chair
- Philippines
- Incoming chair
- Singapore
- Singapore chairmanship begins
- Jan 1, 2027
4 sources
What people are saying
The ASEAN leaders will reaffirm their commitment to ASEAN’s community building efforts and discuss ways to promote an open and inclusive regional architecture.
ASEAN has had mixed success in navigating US tariffs. Overall exports are up. But this is primarily driven by shipments of electronics which are largely exempt from tariffs.
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