The Philippines is hosting this week’s ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat and related meetings as part of its chairmanship of ASEAN 2026, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) leading preparations.
DTI Committee on Business and Investment Promotion Executive Director Benedict Uy outlined three major events: the ASEAN Business Environment Forum (ABEF), the Preparatory Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting (Prep-SEOM), and the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat.
The ABEF, jointly organized with the Asian Development Bank, opens Wednesday in Taguig. Uy said the forum will gather ASEAN representatives to discuss business and trade issues such as green interventions, sustainable development, ease of doing business, support for small and medium enterprises, investment flows, and global supply chain challenges.
“Pag-uusapan po talaga yung supply chain, yung logistics, yung products and services, yung policies. Lahat po yung magiging building blocks na magiging decision points ng mga ministers come the succeeding meetings,” Uy noted.
He emphasized the urgency of these discussions amid global shocks, including the Middle East conflict, U.S.-China trade tensions, tariff weaponization, and shifting trade dynamics.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque will preside over the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat on Friday, where regional leaders are expected to chart strategies for economic resilience and collaboration in navigating uncertainties.