Leaders and representatives of ASEAN member states have started arriving in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, for the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, as the Philippines hosts the regional talks amid economic uncertainty and the escalating Middle East crisis.
First Arrivals
Myanmar's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U Hau Khan Sum, arrived in Cebu on Wednesday noon, becoming the first ASEAN representative to arrive for the annual summit. Myanmar is the only ASEAN member state not represented by its head of government at this year's summit.
Later in the evening, Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah arrived at about 6:30 p.m., followed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who landed at 9:14 p.m. after completing at least six official engagements in Metro Manila.
Expected Arrivals
Other ASEAN leaders are expected to arrive on Thursday ahead of the ASEAN Leaders' Summit, including Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and representatives of Laos.
Bilateral Meetings and Events
President Marcos is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng at the Shangri-La Mactan on Thursday afternoon. He will later lead the Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit before hosting a dinner for ASEAN leaders together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Summit Agenda
All regional leaders and representatives will convene on Friday for the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting, to be chaired by President Marcos. As chair of this year's ASEAN Summit, Marcos said the Philippines will push for discussions on energy security amid global oil supply concerns triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Philippine government earlier recalibrated summit preparations to reduce costs, including shifting hundreds of meetings online and shortening preparatory activities, while maintaining the summit's focus on regional cooperation, food security, energy stability, and the protection of migrant workers.
