ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting Opens Amid Global Uncertainty
ASEAN foreign ministers have formally opened their annual meeting in Manila on Tuesday with a call for unity and collective action, as the region confronts rising geopolitical uncertainty, maritime tensions and persistent conflicts.
In opening the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa P. Lazaro said the region must respond with “active and deliberate problem-solving” to a world marked by “turbulence, uncertainty and unpredictable conditions.”
“There is profound urgency in our work,” said Lazaro, urging member states to pursue “creative solutions and viable pathways, even in the most difficult situations and during the most complex discussions.”
Quoting the theme of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairmanship, “Navigating Our Future, Together”, she said: “We are not simply drifting with the current; we are steering the ship as we chart its course.”
Lazaro described the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), which marks its 50th anniversary this year, as ASEAN’s “most reliable anchor”, saying that the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference and peaceful dispute resolution remain the foundation of regional stability.
“In a fragmented global landscape, no single country can weather this storm alone. Our strength and resilience lie in our community. If we do not move forward together, we risk falling apart,” she said.
The ministers are expected to review progress across ASEAN’s political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars before delivering recommendations to leaders at the ASEAN Summit in November.
Discussions will also focus on strengthening ASEAN centrality, advancing regional integration under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and enhancing cooperation with external partners.
Regional security issues are expected to dominate the week-long meeting, including efforts to revive ASEAN’s peace initiative in Myanmar, negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea with China, and the economic impact of global conflicts, including disruption to energy routes and global trade.
The meeting in Manila will run until 24 July and includes sessions with ASEAN dialogue partners, ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, bringing together major powers including the United States, China, Russia, Japan, India and the European Union to discuss regional and global security challenges.