U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires a.i. (CDA) Robert Ewing joined Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque to officially launch “Advancing ASEAN: A Strategic Action Plan Supporting the Philippines’ 2026 Chairship.”
The high-level event, hosted by the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council in partnership with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines, convened senior government officials, ASEAN diplomats, international organizations, and private sector leaders.
The forum served as a collaborative platform to develop investment-ready solutions for the region’s most critical sectors, including supply chain resilience, the digital economy, healthcare, and artificial intelligence (AI).
In his keynote remarks, CDA Ewing reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to the success of the Philippines’ upcoming leadership of ASEAN. He emphasized that the U.S. strategy focuses on fostering economic cooperation through the deployment of trusted technologies, the development of resilient infrastructure, and the expansion of public-private partnerships.
“ASEAN represents a vital market where American expertise and capital can drive meaningful, long-term impact,” said CDA Ewing. “The United States looks forward to our continued partnership with the Philippines to ensure secure, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth across the region.”
The Strategic Action Plan aims to align private sector innovation with government priorities, ensuring the Philippines is positioned to lead ASEAN toward a more integrated and technologically advanced future. By prioritizing sectors like AI and digital trade, the initiative seeks to modernize regional commerce and solidify the Philippines’ role as a central hub for international investment.
As the Philippines prepares for its 2026 Chairship, the U.S. government remains dedicated to supporting an ASEAN that is prosperous, decentralized, and economically secure.
