The Philippines is fully prepared to lead the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when it assumes the Chairship in 2026, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Speaking to the media after the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Marcos Jr. said the country is ready both in logistics and in setting the agenda for the regional bloc.
“When you are the Chair of ASEAN, you lead. And that is what we are ready to do because we have a very, very good idea of what the elements are that we feel need to be part of the discussions of ASEAN during our Chairship,” he said, adding that the Philippines is finalizing key priorities for its term.
Among the main issues the country plans to highlight is the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, which the President said is a top priority for the Philippines.
He added that preparations began early this year after a discussion with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the outgoing ASEAN Chair.
“We have been preparing for it for about, eight months now, since nag-usap kami ni Anwar. Sabi ko, ‘Wow, malaking bagay pala ito. Ang dami palang kailangang gawin.’ So, pinaghahandaan na talaga namin. So, ‘yan, we are prepared,” said Marcos Jr.IMT
