President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn to Malacañang Palace on Thursday as the Philippines prepares to chair the regional bloc in 2026.
Their meeting focused on key priorities under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” reflected in the official ASEAN Philippines 2026 logo: a rice stalk for food security, a weave pattern for interconnection, a wave for maritime cooperation, and a traditional Filipino boat representing the bloc’s collective journey.
Kao is on a two-day working visit, Nov. 27–28, to support preparations for the Philippines’ chairmanship. During their talks, the officials discussed deliverables and initiatives to guide the country’s leadership of the 11-nation bloc.
Joining Marcos were Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Communications Secretary Dave Gomez, and Undersecretary Ma. Hellen De La Vega, director general for operations of the ASEAN National Organizing Council.
As part of his visit, Kao is also scheduled to meet with Lazaro, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and the chair of the 2026 ASEAN Business Advisory Council.
At the formal launch of ASEAN Philippines on Nov. 14, Marcos said the country’s chairmanship will focus on three priorities: peace and security, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment.
ASEAN is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and newly admitted member Timor-Leste, which officially joined the bloc in October.
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