TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign ministers of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN formally opened their annual meeting in Manila on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, with a call for unity and collective action. The region is facing growing geopolitical uncertainty, maritime tensions, and persistent conflicts.
Opening the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa P. Lazaro said the region must respond with "active, deliberate problem-solving" to a world marked by "upheaval, uncertainty, and unpredictability."
According to her, member states must pursue "creative solutions and viable pathways" amidst the increasingly difficult and complex global situations.
"There is a profound urgency in our work," Lazaro said, as quoted from Anadolu.
Quoting the theme of the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN chairship, "Navigating Our Future, Together," she said, "We do not just drift with the tide; we steer the ship as we chart the course.”
Lazaro described the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), which marks its 50th anniversary this year, as ASEAN's "most reliable anchor," saying that its principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and the peaceful resolution of disputes remain the foundation of regional stability.
“In a fractured global landscape, no single nation can weather these storms alone. Our strength and resilience lie in our community. If we do not move forward as one, we risk being pulled apart," she said.
The ministers are expected to review progress across ASEAN's political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars before submitting recommendations to leaders at the ASEAN Summit in November.
Discussions will also focus on strengthening ASEAN centrality, advancing regional integration under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and enhancing cooperation with external partners.
Regional security issues are expected to dominate the week-long meeting, including efforts to revive the ASEAN peace initiative in Myanmar, negotiations with China on a South China Sea code of conduct, and the economic impact of global conflicts, including disruptions to global energy and trade routes.
The Manila meeting will run until July 24, and includes meetings with ASEAN dialogue partners, ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum, which brings together major powers including the US, China, Russia, Japan, India, and the European Union to discuss regional and global security challenges.
Read: Indonesia Says Ready to Host Myanmar Dialogue
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