Philippines launches official countdown to 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila

The Philippines has officially launched its countdown to the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Wednesday, October 28. The Philippine Canadian Inquirer and Facebook reported that foreign diplomats and government officials marked the occasion by illuminating the official summit logo on the SM Mall of Asia globe in Pasay City. The high level regional meetings are set to open in Metro Manila on November 15. [1][2]

According to the Philippine Canadian Inquirer, the Presidential Communications Office led the countdown event as preparations enter their final weeks. Facebook added that diplomatic representatives gathered for a group photo at the illuminated globe to mark the lead-up to the gathering of regional leaders. [1][2]

The Manila Times reported that United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Manila for an ASEAN defense summit amid an ongoing war in Iran and tensions with China. [3]

The ASEAN Summit is a biannual meeting held by member states to address economic, political, security, and socio-cultural development. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was founded on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to promote regional peace and economic growth. [4][7]