'Common purpose': 11-member Southeast Asian bloc opens summit in Philippines

The 49th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) opened on Sunday in the Philippine capital Manila, bringing together leaders of the 11-member bloc to address regional and global challenges.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose country holds the bloc's rotating chairmanship, called for unity and cooperation among member states during his opening address in Pasay City.

"We differ in size, history, culture, and circumstance, but become as equals, carrying the hopes of our peoples and the shared responsibility to transform them into a common purpose," Marcos told regional leaders.

"We come from different shores, yet we have chosen to travel forward together," he added.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is attending as a guest of the three-day summit, held under the theme "Navigating Our Future Together."

"Today, 11 nations come together. That commitment matters even more as the waters around us turn on shifting tides, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, new technologies, climate change, and transnational threats are reshaping our region faster than any one country can respond to alone," Marcos said.

He stressed the importance of collective decision-making in addressing shared challenges and preparing the region for the future.

"Over the coming days, alongside our external partners, the choices we will make shape how ASEAN meets the challenges of today, seizes the opportunities of tomorrow, and prepares the region for the coming generations," he said.

Middle East conflict raises regional concerns

Referring to the conflict in the Middle East, Marcos warned that Southeast Asian countries faced risks of disruptions to transport, energy and food supplies.

"ASEAN responded quickly, rethinking, recalibrating, and redesigning, while keeping our longer-term work at center," he said.

"This collective work served us well and enabled us to focus on the task before us," he added.

Marcos emphasized that no member state possessed all the resources, capabilities or solutions needed to address emerging challenges.

"But where national capacities are tested, regional strength reinforces," he said.

“That principle has guided us in our first year of implementing ASEAN 2045, our shared future through three priorities: peace and security anchors, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment,” Marcos added.