President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Marks 50th Anniversary of ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hosted a gala dinner at Malacañan Palace to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), signed on 24 February 1976 during the first ASEAN summit by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Marcos emphasized that the treaty remains a cornerstone for peace, stability and mutual respect in Southeast Asia and called for collective effort to sustain lasting regional cooperation.

Four European nations—Sweden, Poland, Romania and Lithuania—formally acceded to the TAC, expanding its reach and reaffirming its relevance. Marcos highlighted the accession as a sign that the treaty’s principles continue to attract new partners beyond the region, underscoring the importance of dialogue, trust and practical cooperation in addressing contemporary challenges.