Philippine Mission to ASEAN

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, in her capacity as Chair of ASEAN in 2026, unveiled and formally turned over “Vitality” at the ASEAN Secretariat.

The sculpture, created by Filipino artist Impy Pilapil under the Chairship theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” is now part of the ASEAN Gallery’s permanent collection. It serves as a symbol of ASEAN unity and the Philippines’ contribution to strengthening regional cooperation and shared progress.

Wellness in Motion: A Gender and Development (GAD) Activity Through Padel 🎾💜

Game on for gender equality and wellbeing! The Philippine Mission to ASEAN brought together members of the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives Working Group, diplomats from bilateral missions in Jakarta, and the ASEAN Secretariat for a fun and energizing padel session.

More than just a game, this activity highlights the Philippines’ strong commitment to Gender and Development (GAD), women’s empowerment, and the importance of physical wellness. Because when we move together, we grow stronger together! 💪✨

The Philippine Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta raises the Philippine flag in celebration of National Women’s Month.

On a year that the Philippines chairs ASEAN, the ceremony highlighted the yearlong opportunity for the Philippines to reaffirm the country’s strong commitment to advancing women’s leadership and empowerment across the region. In line with the vision of the 2026 ASEAN Women Leaders Summit, Filipino women continue to shape inclusive governance, strengthen peacebuilding, and contribute to resilient and prosperous communities in ASEAN and beyond.

Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity of the Republic of the Philippines, visited Jakarta from 04 to 05 March for a series of engagements with partners in ASEAN.

During his visit, Secretary Galvez paid a courtesy call on H.E. Evangeline T. Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Permanent Representative to ASEAN. He also met with H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Political-Security Community, the Executive Director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, H.E. I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja and several Ambassadors to ASEAN.

The engagements explored potential areas of collaboration in advancing peacebuilding and reconciliation in ASEAN. Peace education—an advocacy of the Philippines—will be promoted as a key focus during its 2026 Chairship.

Philippines Leads ASEAN Connectivity Agenda as Chair of ACCC in ACSP’s First Year of Implementation

4 February 2026, Jakarta - The Philippines officially assumed the Chairship of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC), convening the first ACCC Meeting for 2026 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The meeting marked the pivot point for ASEAN connectivity - the end of Master Plan on Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, and the start of implementation of the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (ACSP).

H.E. Ambassador Evangeline T. Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, chaired the Meeting. In her remarks, she underscored ASEAN’s collective commitment to advancing a more integrated, resilient, and people-centred ASEAN Community in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. She observed that connectivity is one of the building blocks to build a “truly integrated community”. She highlighted the significance of the Philippines’ assumption of the ACCC Chairship at a defining juncture for ASEAN connectivity.

“The first year of ACSP implementation presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for ASEAN to translate vision into action. Under the Philippines’ Chairship, our focus is on ensuring that connectivity delivers tangible benefits to our peoples and strengthens ASEAN’s long-term resilience,” she said.

Composed of the Permanent Representatives of the ASEAN Missions in Jakarta, the ACCC meets regularly to coordinate, monitor, and guide the implementation of ASEAN connectivity initiatives across the region. At this first meeting for 2026, the ACCC took note of the conclusion of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, and acknowledged its contributions in advancing regional infrastructure development, institutional connectivity, and people-to-people linkages over the past decade. The Committee reflected on key achievements, lessons and insights gained through implementation of MPAC 2025 that would guide the implementation of the new connectivity strategic plan.

The Meeting welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan (ACSP), which will guide ASEAN’s connectivity agenda over the next two decades across six strategic areas: sustainable infrastructure, smart and sustainable urban development, digital innovation, seamless logistics and supply chains, regulatory excellence and cooperation, and people-to-people connectivity. Discussions in this inaugural year focused on ensuring a coordinated, inclusive, and results-oriented approach to implementation.

Delegates exchanged views on practical steps to strengthen delivery of connectivity aspirations, including the development of an action focused Work Plan, the importance of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in sectors that tend to be resource-intensive, the benefits of synergies across sectors for coherence and impact, and the potential to develop regional databases. Delegates likewise exhorted greater engagement with the public through communications initiatives.

The ACCC further encouraged sustained and enhanced support from ASEAN Dialogue Partners and other external partners, including international organisations and the private sector, in advancing ACSP priorities. Such partnerships were recognised as critical in mobilising financing, technical expertise, and innovation to support ASEAN’s connectivity ambitions.

“As ASEAN navigates an increasingly complex regional and global environment, connectivity must remain a unifying force,” Ambassador Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq noted. “We count on the continued partnership of our Dialogue Partners and stakeholders to support the robust implementation of the ACSP and to help ASEAN remain central, connected, and future-ready.”

The Philippines’ Chairship of the ACCC for 2026 is anchored on its broader ASEAN Chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future Together,” and aims to build momentum for the ACSP through strengthened coordination, inclusive partnerships, and a shared commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for the ASEAN region. #