Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Wednesday, January 7, convened a high-level interagency meeting to ensure the Philippines’ readiness to host this year’s ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
Recto, who chairs the ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC), led discussions on substantive planning, logistics, procurement, and agency-specific work plans for the country’s year-long hosting duties.
Cabinet members and senior officials from key government agencies attended the meeting to align preparations across security, infrastructure, tourism, transport, labor, and foreign affairs.
The Philippines will host the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and related meetings in Cebu on May 8 to 9, followed by the 49th ASEAN Summit from November 10 to 12 at the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Cebu will also host the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat and the ASEAN Tourism Forum later this month.
In July, the country will lead commemorative activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia at the PICC.
Throughout the year, the Philippines is expected to host 208 clustered ASEAN events, totaling more than 650 meetings.
The ASEAN NOC said tight security measures will be enforced for all ASEAN-related activities, particularly during the leaders’ summits in May and November.