The event was also attended by leaders of ASEAN member states, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and representatives of several international organisations.

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. presided over the welcoming ceremony for heads of delegation attending the summit.

Under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”, host country the Philippines outlined three major directions for ASEAN cooperation in 2026: strengthening key pillars for peace and security; expanding corridors of prosperity; and empowering people.

In his opening remarks, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ASEAN Chair for 2026, stressed that the region is facing a “defining moment” as the international environment becomes increasingly complex and unstable, particularly due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on security, economies and people’s lives across the region.

The Philippine president said ASEAN needs to continue promoting solidarity, adaptability and its central role in the regional architecture. He said current challenges are not dividing ASEAN, but instead serving as a driver for member states to strengthen coordination, listen to one another and act more effectively together.

He also stressed the need for common solutions to address challenges related to security, the economy and social stability, while maintaining the ASEAN Community-building process despite global uncertainties.

The Philippine President praised coordination between ASEAN member states and partners in diplomacy, the economy, agriculture and energy to address current challenges. He noted that discussions at the summit would focus on the “3Ps” strategy proposed by the Philippines: promoting peace and security, expanding prosperity corridors and empowering people.

President Marcos called on ASEAN member states to continue promoting solidarity, openness and a shared sense of responsibility to build a peaceful, stable and sustainable region.

The 48th ASEAN Summit is one of the two regular annual meetings of ASEAN leaders in 2026. The summit is an important occasion for leaders to share comprehensive assessments of regional and global developments and agree on strategic directions and measures to strengthen ASEAN cooperation.

At the summit, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is expected to deliver important speeches conveying the foreign policy orientations of the 14th National Party Congress and Vietnam’s views on ASEAN priorities.

He will also put forward practical proposals to strengthen the ASEAN Community-building process, contribute to enhancing ASEAN’s resilience and response capacity in the face of global uncertainties, particularly the impact of the situation in the Middle East, and exchange views on regional and international issues of shared concern.

PM Le Minh Hung arrives in Philippines for 48th ASEAN Summit

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung arrived in Cebu, the Philippines on May 7 to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Chair of ASEAN 2026.

Vietnam calls for stronger ASEAN unity, coordination ahead of 48th Summit

Authorised by Foreign Minister (FM) Le Hoai Trung, Deputy FM Dang Hoang Giang, Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, led a Vietnamese delegation to a series of ASEAN foreign ministerial meetings in Cebu, the Philippines, on May 7 which finalised preparations for the 48th ASEAN Summit.