PH hosts preparatory meetings ahead of 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu

Cebu, Philippines – The Philippines is hosting a series of high-level preparatory meetings ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu as regional leaders prepare to tackle key political, economic, and security issues facing Southeast Asia on May 8.

“Ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit on 8 May 2026, the Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs as the lead agency for the ASEAN Political-Security Community Pillar, will host a series of preparatory meetings,” said ASEAN spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial during a joint press briefing at the International Media Center in Cebu.

He listed the gatherings as:

+Senior Officials’ Meeting

+Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

+Political-Security Community Council Meeting

+Coordinating Council Meeting

+Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting.

“These meetings will be attended by Senior Officials and Foreign Ministers of the 11 ASEAN member states,” Imperial said.

He said the discussions are expected to help “lay the groundwork for the 48th ASEAN Summit,” particularly on pressing regional priorities and the bloc’s long-term community-building agenda.

Imperial said the Philippines is pushing for the endorsement of three key outcome documents under the Political-Security Community pillar for consideration in the summit. The Political-Security Community is one of the three major pillars of ASEAN integration, alongside the Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community.

The summit in Cebu is expected to focus on energy security, food security, maritime cooperation, economic resilience, and the protection of ASEAN nationals amid global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.