Manila ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting Highlights Regional Cooperation

The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting was held in Manila, Philippines, bringing together ASEAN foreign ministers and key partners, including the United States, China, Japan, Russia and the Quad (Australia, India, Japan and the United States). The summit addressed regional peace, maritime security, economic cooperation and the future of the Indo‑Pacific.

Bilateral talks were held on the sidelines, notably between Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, focusing on deepening scientific, educational and economic ties. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun used the ASEAN Regional Forum session to urge North Korea to re‑engage in dialogue and support the Manila Plan of Action for the next decade. Vietnam’s foreign ministry spokesperson reiterated the need for all parties to respect international law, especially UNCLOS, and called for continued cooperation on the South China Sea issues.

The meeting also featured discussions on the ASEAN‑plus‑1 and ASEAN‑plus‑3 mechanisms, the upcoming ASEAN education initiatives, and the reaffirmation of ASEAN’s centrality in regional stability.