ASEAN Officials Meet in Philippines Ahead of Foreign Ministers’ Summit

PASAY CITY, Philippines, June 8, 2026 (KPT) — Senior officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in the Philippines to review progress from the bloc’s recent summit and prepare for next month’s foreign ministers’ meeting.

The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) was held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, chaired by Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim of the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was the fourth SOM under the Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship.

Discussions focused on consolidating outcomes from the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu and advancing preparations for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July.

Cambodia was represented by Kung Phoak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who also attended the East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meeting in Manila.

Herrera-Lim said ASEAN had maintained momentum across political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars, as well as through ASEAN-led regional mechanisms.

Officials reviewed applications to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and preparations for activities marking its 50th anniversary in July.

They also discussed cooperation under the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

Delegates highlighted the importance of strong engagement with external partners to address shared risks and emerging challenges.

“As we convene for today’s Senior Officials’ Meeting, this progress serves to remind us of how far we can go if only we navigate uncertainty together,” Herrera-Lim said.

“I encourage all of us to capitalise on the momentum that we have generated in our engagements.”