By: Kathlean Pallorina
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the launch of the Philippines' chairship of ASEAN 2026 in Intramuros, Manila on November 14, 2025. Photo Courtesy of Jean Mangaluz / PHILSTAR
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially launched the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2026 on Friday, Nov. 14 at the Foro De Intramuros in Manila.
The theme for the Philippines’ leadership year will be “Navigating Our Future, Together.” focusing on three main priorities: peace and security anchors, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment.
A significant focus of the chairmanship will be on the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Under the peace and security pillar, the chairship will use AI to respond to new security challenges, this includes harnessing AI for early warning systems, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance.
Economically, AI will be promoted to support a digitally empowered community, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
In the socio-cultural pillar, the Philippines will champion AI to improve healthcare, education, and youth empowerment. The President clarified that AI will "magnify our capacity to care" rather than "replace our human touch."
“By promoting the safe, ethical, responsible, equitable, and sustainable adoption of AI in all areas such as trade facilitation, digitalization, and innovation, we aim to enhance regional competitiveness, support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and unlock new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said.
The official logo for ASEAN 2026 was also unveiled during the ceremony with its symbols including a rice stalk for food security, a weave pattern for interconnection, a wave for maritime cooperation, and a balangay boat to symbolize a shared journey forward.
ASEAN meetings in 2026 will be hosted in various key locations across the country including Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Laoag, Iloilo, Tagaytay, and Clark.
During the launch, President Marcos also named Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro as the Special Envoy of the Chair on Myanmar. The Philippines assumed the 2026 chairmanship after Myanmar was unable to host due to internal unrest.
“We are confident that she shall bring a constructive, principled, and inclusive approach to supporting the people of Myanmar, guided by her mandate and the Five-Point Consensus, as we work together towards peace, stability, and reconciliation,” he said.
The President's speech did not mention any plans to finalize the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea during the country's chairmanship.