Metro Manila, Philippines – Southeast Asian foreign ministers may discuss challenges in the South China Sea during their retreat this week, an ASEAN spokesperson said Monday, noting that the closed-door meeting allows for frank and candid exchanges among the region’s top diplomats.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Dax Imperial said the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) Retreat, to be held Thursday in Cebu province, will primarily focus on priorities under the Philippines’ chairmanship of the regional bloc, as well as broader regional and global concerns.
“The Retreat will cover the Philippines’ chairship priorities and deliverables, follow-up to the 47th ASEAN Summit, external relations, and regional and global issues,” Imperial said in a text message to NewsWatch Plus.
While the agenda does not single out the South China Sea, Imperial said the format of the retreat gives ministers leeway to raise sensitive issues, including maritime disputes.
“The Retreat being a closed-door meeting allows for a more candid discussion,” he said.
“In that regard, the ministers are free to discuss issues that they wish to raise, which may include the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.”
The ASEAN foreign ministers’ retreat will be hosted at the NUSTAR Hotel in Cebu with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, serving as chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2026.
Formed under the 1967 Bangkok Declaration, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting is the bloc’s main platform for political and security coordination and for managing ties with external partners.
