ASEAN Opens Meeting
Philippine Foreign Minister Tess Lazaro called on ASEAN member states to strengthen unity and deepen regional cooperation as the bloc’s foreign ministers opened their annual meeting in Manila on Tuesday.
Footage shows the senior officials gathering for a family photo before opening the talks.
“There is a profound urgency to our work, especially as we live in a time defined by what I call ‘the three Us’: upheaval, uncertainty and unpredictability,” Lazaro warned.
Call For Unity
She urged member states to adapt quickly to shifting global realities, highlighting the importance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which marks its 50th anniversary this year.
“Seeking creative solutions and viable pathways even in the most difficult situations and during the most complex discussions. We do not just drift with the tide, we steer the ship,” the foreign minister said.
“Acting together is our shield against external pressures and our engine for regional stability. If we do not move forward as one, we risk being pulled apart,” she added.
Regional Security Focus
The meeting is being held under the Philippines’ chairmanship with the theme ‘Navigating Our Future, Together’.
Ministers are expected to discuss regional security, including the conflict in Myanmar and tensions in the South China Sea, alongside economic cooperation and broader geopolitical challenges. ASEAN will also hold meetings with key dialogue partners, including the United States, China and Russia.
The meetings are scheduled to continue until July 24.
ASEAN Philippines 2026, via Viory.Video
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