ASEAN Delegates Embark on Heritage Tour Ahead of Ministerial Retreat in Cebu
CEBU. ASEAN delegates participated in a heritage tour titled "Paglantaw: A Heritage Tour of Old Cebu," immersing themselves in the rich historical tapestry of Cebu's vibrant past. This cultural prelude set the stage for the upcoming diplomatic gathering.
Full Attendance Confirmed for ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting Retreat
All ten ASEAN member states will be present at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting Retreat scheduled for January 28–29, 2026, at the Nustar Hotel in Cebu City. This event marks the inaugural major ministerial meeting under the Philippines' ASEAN chairship for the year.
The participation was officially confirmed on January 27, 2026, during a press briefing held at the International Media Center in Bai Hotel, Cebu. ASEAN spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial announced the details, emphasizing the significance of full attendance in highlighting the meeting's importance under the Philippine leadership.
The retreat will be chaired by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, bringing together foreign ministers and senior officials from across the Southeast Asian region. Imperial stated that the meeting aims to align ASEAN's priorities for the year, review outcomes from recent summits, and facilitate open exchanges on critical regional and global developments.
Philippine Chairship Theme and Key Discussion Points
Under the chairship theme "Navigating Our Future, Together," the Philippines seeks to drive progress across all three pillars of the ASEAN Community. The agenda will encompass a range of cross-cutting issues, including:
- Maritime cooperation and security
- Digital transformation and artificial intelligence
- Climate change mitigation and disaster preparedness
Myanmar will feature prominently on the agenda during the two-day meeting. Imperial noted that the situation in Myanmar will be discussed within the framework of the five-point consensus. However, he cautioned against premature speculation regarding how member states will address the country's recently concluded elections.
Myanmar will not have ministerial-level representation at the retreat. Instead, the country will be represented by its Senior Officials' Meeting leader, who holds the rank of Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Imperial declined to disclose the official's name, stating that any announcement should come directly from Myanmar authorities.
Regional Security and Geopolitical Concerns on the Table
Beyond Myanmar, ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to engage in wide-ranging discussions on regional and global developments, reflecting the informal and candid nature of the retreat. Imperial explained that the format allows ministers to freely raise concerns affecting the region and the world.
Security issues, particularly developments in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, are anticipated to be raised due to their critical importance to regional stability. Imperial added that discussions would depend on how the meetings unfold organically.
Potential regional flashpoints, such as the Thailand–Cambodia border issue, may also be discussed if raised by the concerned ASEAN member states. On broader geopolitical matters, Imperial mentioned that Ukraine's application for sectoral dialogue partnership with ASEAN remains under consideration and is part of an ongoing process.
"There is really no decision yet on that," he said, indicating that partnership discussions might be touched upon during the retreat. More detailed deliberations are expected at the senior officials' level, with recommendations subsequently elevated to foreign ministers for final decisions.
