By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — At least 19 world and global institution leaders are expected to gather in Manila for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leading the high-level meetings from November 15 to 17.
Leaders from nine ASEAN member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam—are expected to attend. Myanmar will be represented by its Director-General for ASEAN Affairs.
Among the invited global figures are Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
The related summits will bring together representatives from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, the United Nations and the United States. US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit on November 17.
Discussions will cover regional cooperation, economic resilience, security concerns and the South China Sea Code of Conduct.
The meetings will place Manila at the center of major regional and international diplomacy as the Philippines hosts this year’s ASEAN gathering.
ia/xf
