The key facts

  • The ASEAN Summit in Manila will last three days under the chairmanship of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
  • At least 19 world leaders and heads of international institutions are expected; Trump will join the special ASEAN–US summit on November 17
  • The ministers of the 11 ASEAN countries signed a digital economy agreement; the chairmanship will pass to Singapore on Tuesday

Leaders Arrive in Manila Ahead of the Summit

In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, leaders of Southeast Asian countries and international guests began arriving on Saturday ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, which start on Sunday. The three-day event, chaired by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will focus on regional security, economic integration, and cooperation with international partners.

Who Has Arrived and Who Is Expected

According to the Philippine ASEAN chairmanship, among those who have arrived are UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, and head of the Vietnamese government Luong Cuong. Also arrived were Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many. According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, at least 19 world leaders and heads of international institutions will attend the summit. US President Donald Trump, as planned, will join the special ASEAN–US summit on November 17.

Digital Agreement and Chairmanship Outcomes

On the eve of the summit, on Saturday, the ministers of the 11 ASEAN member states signed the Framework Agreement on the Digital Economy. The document is intended to facilitate cross-border digital trade, electronic payments, data protection, and cooperation in cybersecurity. In total, more than 100 outcome documents on security, trade, investment, and regional cooperation are expected during the summit. At the closing ceremony on Tuesday, the Philippines will officially hand over the rotating ASEAN chairmanship to Singapore.