MALAYSIA is expected to push for stronger regional cooperation on security, maritime stability and economic resilience as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim joins fellow ASEAN leaders at the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila today.
The Myanmar crisis and tensions in the South China Sea are among the key issues expected to feature prominently in discussions, alongside regional energy security, supply chains and the bloc's future direction.
Anwar, who arrived in Manila on Saturday night, attended the opening ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), officiated by Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, before proceeding to the summit plenary and leaders' retreat.
He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
The Foreign Ministry said the summit would provide an important platform for leaders to exchange views on ASEAN Community building and strengthen the bloc's collective response to changing global conditions.
On Myanmar, leaders are expected to review implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and discuss the bloc's next steps in addressing the prolonged crisis.
Maritime security discussions are expected to focus on the proposed establishment of an ASEAN Maritime Centre and progress in negotiations on a South China Sea Code of Conduct.
Other regional and international concerns on the agenda include transboundary haze pollution and the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
Anwar is also scheduled to meet representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and ASEAN youth, besides receiving a courtesy call from Asian Development Bank president Masato Kanda.
On Monday (Nov 16), Anwar will attend separate summits with China, Australia, South Korea and the United Nations.
The three-day gathering, themed “Navigating Our Future, Together”, will conclude on Nov 17 with the ASEAN-US Special Summit and the handover of the bloc's chairmanship from the Philippines to Singapore. - November 15, 2026
