MANILA — Malacañang announced that final preparations are nearly finished for the country’s upcoming hosting of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Manila, scheduled from November 15 to 17.
The high-level gathering is expected to draw 20 international leaders. Discussing the status of the event during a Palace briefing on Tuesday, October 20, official statements noted that continuous refinements are still being made.
“Ang paghahanda kasi habang pinapaganda mo ang isang event hindi mo masasabing tapos na ang pagprepara pero, definitely, November na po ito. So, halos tapos na po ang preparation pero habang may nakikita pa na i-improve ay ginagawa pa rin iyan,” it was stated.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto described the logistical timeline as “time on target,” emphasizing the scale of the operation in a statement released on Tuesday.
“With 20 heads of state in attendance, this is a meeting with a million moving parts, from convoys to conferences, from agenda to attractions to be visited, from security to seat plans, so failure on our part is not an option,” Recto said, adding that “there is a long check list of things to be done, and we have ticked almost all of them.”
Recto further noted that organizers aim “to blend the Filipino’s charming fiesta hospitality with the serious business that will be tackled during the summit.”
In tandem with local preparations, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held a phone discussion on Tuesday with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to talk about regional developments and bilateral ties.
According to Malacañang, both leaders reviewed joint initiatives concerning energy security, defense, Mindanao peace-building, and the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC).
Key deliverables anticipated during the summit include the substantial conclusion of the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations to expand market reach for Filipino exporters, and the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement to standardize digital trade, enhance cybersecurity, and streamline cross-border data flows.
Recto emphasized that the conference will help ASEAN leaders chart a collective path forward to address external economic shocks.
First Lady Liza Marcos also shared her optimism regarding the ongoing event planning following a meeting with the Business Advisory Council headed by chairman Joey Concepcion.
”Spent time putting the finishing touches on preparations for next month’s ASEAN-BACK 2026 events,” she shared online, adding that “everything is slowly coming together and I’m getting more excited by the day!”