TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Leaders and representatives of ASEAN member states have begun arriving in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines, ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings scheduled for Friday, May 8.
The Philippines is hosting this year’s regional talks amid rising global economic uncertainty and escalating crises in the Middle East.
Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U Hau Khan Sum, was the first ASEAN representative to arrive in Cebu on Wednesday afternoon local time. Myanmar remains the only ASEAN member not represented by its head of government at this summit.
Later that day, Brunei Darussalam’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrived at around 06:30 PM local time, followed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who landed in Cebu at 09:14 PM after completing six official engagements in Manila.
Other ASEAN leaders arrived in Cebu on Thursday, one day before the summit. They include Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and a representative from Laos.
On Thursday afternoon, President Marcos is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Hung.
As ASEAN Chair for 2026, Marcos will then preside over the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit before hosting ASEAN leaders together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
The 48th ASEAN Summit will formally convene on Friday, May 8, bringing together all member state leaders and representatives.
Marcos said the Philippines will push discussions on energy resilience amid a global oil supply crunch driven by conflicts in the Middle East.
Earlier, the Philippine government adjusted its summit preparations to reduce costs, including shifting hundreds of meetings to online formats and shortening preparatory activities.
Despite the adjustments, the summit will maintain its focus on regional cooperation, food security, energy stability, and the protection of migrant workers.
Read: Prabowo Departs for 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Calls for ASEAN Unity Through Amity, Cooperation Treaty
31 menit lalu
ASEAN is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the peace treaty this year, marking five decades of regional peace and stability.
ASEAN Yet to Recognize Myanmar Election Result, Philippines Says
9 jam lalu
ASEAN hasn't yet agreed to recognize result of Myanmar's elections, which installed former junta leader Min Aung Hlaing as the country's new president
Indonesia's Prabowo to Attend ASEAN Summit in Philippines
21 jam lalu
President Prabowo will attend the ASEAN High-Level Conference in the Philippines to discuss food and energy issues with other regional leaders.
48th ASEAN Summit Focuses on Impact of Middle East Conflict
1 hari lalu
Southeast Asian leaders are set to agree on joint steps to address the Middle East conflict's impact at the ASEAN Summit in Cebu this week.
Prabowo to Attend ASEAN Summit, Discussing Iran War Response
6 hari lalu
Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, with a focus on discussing the impact of the Iran-US war on regional stability, energy, and food.
Danantara Eyes $30 Billion Energy Investment in Singapore
13 hari lalu
Danantara's involvement would also cover the construction of transmission lines linking Indonesia and Singapore, says the CIO.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Discuss Safety of Citizens in Middle East
20 hari lalu
The foreign ministers expressed their condolences to ASEAN member states for the loss of their citizens amidst the ongoing conflict.
Prabowo Advised to Put ASEAN First Over Middle East Diplomacy
24 hari lalu
Former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Dino Patti Djalal, encourages Prabowo to become more actively involved in managing the Southeast Asian region (ASEAN) instead of focusing solely on the Middle East.
Indonesia, South Korea Strengthen Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
28 hari lalu
Indonesia and South Korea announced the strengthening of the Special Strategic Partnership to a Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Fact Check: Is Indonesia a Pioneer in Social Media Ban for Children?
29 hari lalu
Fact check - Indonesia is the first ASEAN country to adopt the social media ban for children, but not the first in the world.
