President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. officially accepted the Chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) for 2026 during a ceremonial handover at Malacañan Palace on Thursday. Emphasizing a vision of “inclusive growth and shared progress,” the President committed the Philippines to a leadership role focused on turning regional challenges into economic opportunities.
The transition, which saw the Chairship pass from Malaysia to the Philippines, was marked by the President’s expressions of both gratitude and resolve. “We assume this role with gratitude for the strong foundation laid by our predecessors, and with the determination to carry forward this work with the same sense of purpose and cooperation that defines ASEAN,” President Marcos stated.
Guided by the national ASEAN Chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” President Marcos highlighted the necessity of a proactive stance in the face of global economic shifts. He noted that the region is currently at a crossroads of rapid economic transformation and technological advancement.
Key pillars of the Philippine Chairship will include:
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Strengthening Trade & Investment: Expanding corridors for capital and commerce across the ten member states.
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Technological Integration: Leveraging digital advancement to ensure ASEAN remains competitive on the global stage.
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Mutual Accountability: Ensuring progress is anchored in trust and shared responsibility between the public and private sectors.
A central theme of the President’s address was the democratization of opportunity. He praised the ASEAN-BAC for its history of responsive initiatives and urged the council to double down on investments that benefit the “last mile.”
“When we commit to cooperation anchored in trust and purpose, we ensure that progress reaches every community and opportunity remains within reach of all,” the President added. “This is how we turn uncertainty into opportunity and change into lasting progress.”
