59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting kicks off

Foreign ministers from across ASEAN are here in Manila for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

At the opening ceremony, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro says there is a "profound urgency" to ASEAN's work in today's era defined by "upheaval, uncertainty, and unpredictability."

"In a fractured global landscape, no single nation can weather these storms alone. 
Our strength and resilience lie in our community. Acting together, it is our shield against external pressures and our engine for reasonable stability," she says.

What's on the agenda for this ASEAN meeting?

Here's what's on the agenda for today's plenary session, according to Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Foreign Affairs Secretary and Chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026:

- Review progress of ASEAN community building

- Discuss the progress of Philippine chairship and deliverables

- Discuss efforts in strengthening ASEAN's external relations

- Consider outcome documents to deepen ASEAN's cooperation

In the next few days, officials will also engage with sectoral partners and external partners through the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, ASEAN Regional Forum, and East Asia Summit, along with several trilateral meetings.

Rubio in Manila @here

US ambassador to PH Lee Lipton welcomes State Sec Marco Rubio to Manila. This is Rubio's first visit to the Philippines as Secretary of State. He's here to attend the high-level ASEAN ministerial meetings. He is also expected to meet Philippine Foreign Sec Maria Theresa Lazaro on sidelines of ASEAN.

LOOK: President Marcos summons Chinese ambassador Jing Quan "over maritime incident at Ayungin Shoal," says Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro. @here
(Malacañang photos)

NOW: ASEAN-India Post-Ministerial Conference.

The whole day will have foreign ministers meet with ASEAN's dialogue partners, and engage in other choice meetings

You often wonder what Asean is there for @here https://www.rappler.com/philippines/ayungin-shoal-confrontation-asean-reaction/

NOW: ASEAN-US Post-Ministerial Conference

US State Secretary Marco Rubio says US "always committed to diplomacy" and that this includes Iran. Rubio opens with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: "Unfortunately... so far even if we have reached agreements... they're not serious about talks."

NOW: ASEAN-China Post-Ministerial Conference

Chinese FM Wang Yi is in the Philippines for the first time since 2022. He is expected to meet Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma Theresa Lazaro for a bilateral shortly after this meeting with ASEAN.

QUAD foreign ministers — US, India, Australia, and Japan — meet on sidelines of ASEAN meetings in Manila. | via @Bea Cupin - RAPPLER

NOW: Manila hosts the 5th Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development during the ASEAN AMM/PMC

NOW -- Manila hosts ASEAN+3 foreign ministers meeting. +3 refers to Japan, South Korea, and China.

Philippine Foreign Sec Lazaro highlights importance of ASEAN+3 amid global shocks. Says FMs will be reviewing progress of partnerships today.

In opening statements, ministers highlight previous instances of collaboration -- the financial crisis, COVID19. They speak too of the importance and potential of expanding that to cover energy, too.

President Marcos confers Order of Lapu-Lapu, financial aid to soldiers hurt in Ayungin clash with China @here

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during a trip to Palawan province, visited two soldiers who were injured in a clash with China Coast Guard personnel who entered Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre is stationed. In a release, Malacañang said the two were conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu and P100,000 in financial aid. 

Both Manila and Beijing has traded allegations over who triggered the confrontation. The two countries have also filed protests against each other. Marcos had earlier summoned the Chinese ambassador to Manila to protest the incident.