World leaders gathered in Manila on Monday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, confronting a destabilised global order as the US-Israel war on Iran drives up fuel costs and strains regional economies.
The 11-member bloc meets from November 15 to 17, with US President Donald Trump and other international figures attending ahead of APEC talks in China, Al Jazeera reported. The meetings bring together nearly 694 million people, or 8.4 percent of the global population, under heightened geopolitical pressure.
(1/2) ASEAN Foreign Ministers met in Manila on November 14, 2026 to discuss key priorities and deliverables for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
Energy Grid Projects Gain Urgency
Rising petroleum prices from Middle East chaos have hit car-centric Manila hard, forcing political leaders to confront deep import reliance. “It's triggered protests … and has caused enormous headaches for political leaders,” Hunter Marston, South-East Asia program director at the Lowy Institute, told abc.net.au.
“ASEAN this year has been emphasising progress towards a strategic petroleum reserve and the ASEAN power grid,” Marston said, according to abc.net.au.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, on 15 November 2026, attended ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), on the sidelines of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, in Manila, the Philippines. The ASEAN Leaders and the representatives of the… pic.twitter.com/Jr5PQJ0G7z
“Of course, it’s a very expensive and protracted issue, but I think it’s really about time that we have to implement this ASEAN energy grid,” Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, Philippines Foreign Secretary, said.
Maritime Disputes in the South China Sea
Territorial disputes over the South China Sea remain central to the talks as the Philippines deals with persistent maritime confrontations involving Chinese vessels. A tribunal at The Hague ruled China’s nine-dash line has no international legal basis, yet low-level conflicts persist in the waterway.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today participated in the Plenary Session of the 49th ASEAN Summit, held in Manila, the Philippines. During the session, Dr. Kao briefed the ASEAN Leaders on the progress of ASEAN Community-building and highlighted key deliverables… pic.twitter.com/8gBcxRmMyi
Negotiations for a Code of Conduct with Beijing have seen roughly 10 rounds of talks led by Malaysia this year, Al Jazeera reported. Marston told abc.net.au he remains uncertain whether the final code will constrain Beijing’s behaviour or prevent escalation.
Myanmar conflict divides the region
More than five years after Myanmar’s military junta seized power in February 2021, conflict continues to divide the region, leaving an estimated 100,000 people dead and millions displaced. ASEAN continues to rely on its Five-Point Consensus while restricting junta leaders from high-level political summits.
The Philippines, as ASEAN Chair, convened the 39th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) on 14 November 2026 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. Read full story 👉 https://t.co/T5kjt48wuJ#DFAForgingAhead pic.twitter.com/lCwxZDTqqE
Lazaro recently visited Myanmar as an envoy, describing the situation as deplorable while noting she was told former leader Aung San Suu Kyi was doing well. Meanwhile, the United States has held secretive talks with Myanmar leaders to secure access to rare earth metals used in modern manufacturing.
El Niño drives severe drought and haze
A Super El Niño weather pattern is driving severe drought, extreme heat, and agricultural disruptions across Southeast Asia, with projections to peak between late 2026 and early 2027. Indonesia’s slash-and-burn land clearing has fueled the worst fire season in a decade, scorching 2.88 million hectares and resulting in at least 3,500 deaths, according to Al Jazeera.
Toxic smoke has blanketed Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, straining diplomatic ties and pushing proposals for a cross-border haze-pollution authority to the forefront of the agenda.
Delegates sign digital economy framework
Delegates are expected to sign a region-wide digital economy framework to manage future transformation as ASEAN projects to become the fourth-largest economic bloc by 2030. Major investments in data centres across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have strengthened local economies.
President Trump is expected to use the summit to urge regional nations to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative to reduce reliance on China for artificial intelligence supply chains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries comprise the ASEAN economic bloc?
The 11 member states are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and East Timor, representing a combined population of nearly 694 million people, Al Jazeera reported.
What is the status of the ASEAN code of conduct for the South China Sea?
Malaysia led about 10 rounds of negotiations with Beijing through October, but analysts doubt a definitive conclusion will be reached during this week’s summit in Manila, according to Al Jazeera.
How many deaths have been linked to Indonesia’s recent wildfires?
Widespread wildfires in drought-hit Indonesia have scorched approximately 2.88 million hectares and resulted in at least 3,500 deaths, Al Jazeera reported.