Newsletters Events
Logo Logo
The Middle Eastʼs leading independent since 2012

Search

ASEAN summit to go ahead in May, but shortened to 'bare bones' programme due to Middle East conflict

AL-Monitor
Mar 26, 2026
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addresses the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., March 10, 2026. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addresses the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., March 10, 2026. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid — Brendan McDermid

MANILA, March 27 (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday that the ASEAN Leaders' summit will go ahead in May, but will be shortened to a "bare-bones" programme that focuses on addressing issues like fuel supplies, food prices and migrant workers.

Marcos said he has consulted with his counterparts in the regional bloc and asked them whether they preferred to postpone the ASEAN summit due to the conflict in the Middle East.

"The consensus that we came to is that it is precisely now that we must coordinate our efforts," Marcos told reporters.

(Reporting by Nestor Corrales, Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema; Editing by David Stanway)