November 14: At least 19 world leaders are confirmed for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila, which open on Sunday, November 15, the Philippine government says. US President Donald Trump is expected on November 17 for an ASEAN–US Special Summit, the same day as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Plus Three Summit. The Philippines will close its year as ASEAN chair by handing the chairship to Singapore.
Key highlights
- Where: Manila, with the main sessions at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
- Theme: “Navigating Our Future, Together”.
- Who: leaders of the 11 ASEAN members, including Timor-Leste, plus partners; at least 19 leaders in all.
- Trump: expected on November 17 for the ASEAN–US Special Summit; President Marcos will hold a bilateral meeting with him.
- Other Marcos bilaterals: Australia, Brazil, Japan and South Korea confirmed; India, Laos and the UN Secretary-General still being finalised.
- Next chair: Singapore.
The schedule
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 14 | Ministerial meetings: ASEAN Economic Community Council, ASEAN Foreign Ministers, ASEAN Political-Security Community Council and ASEAN Coordinating Council |
| November 15 | Opening ceremony at PICC, plenary and leaders’ retreat; remarks by Canada’s Mark Carney, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva |
| November 16–17 | ASEAN Plus One summits with partners, including India |
| November 17 | 29th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, 21st East Asia Summit and ASEAN–US Special Summit |
Who is coming
The Related Summits will be co-chaired by leaders of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, the United Nations and the United States, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Myanmar will send the director-general of its foreign ministry’s ASEAN affairs department rather than a political leader. The Philippine government has not named the Chinese or Indian representatives.
ASEAN 2026 spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said Marcos “will hold a bilateral meeting with Trump” during the US leader’s visit. Three European countries, Cyprus, Slovakia and Slovenia, will sign up to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and ASEAN will unveil its updated emblem and flag.
What is on the table
The Philippines built its chairship around three priorities: peace and security, “prosperity corridors” for trade and investment, and people empowerment. The Department of Foreign Affairs says leaders will review what the chairship achieved, discuss how ASEAN can respond to regional and global challenges, including the situation in Myanmar, and look at economic resilience.
Our calculation
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| ASEAN members | 11 (Timor-Leste is the newest) |
| Days of meetings, ministers to leaders | 4 (November 14–17) |
| Summit-level meetings on November 17 alone | 3 (ASEAN Plus Three, East Asia Summit, ASEAN–US) |
| Leaders confirmed | At least 19 |
What it means for India and Asia
India is one of the dialogue partners that co-chairs a summit with ASEAN, and it sits at the East Asia Summit table with China, Japan, the US and Russia. Manila has not yet confirmed who will represent India or whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos will meet; that bilateral is listed as still being finalised. For India, the summit is a chance to push its Act East agenda, from maritime security to trade.
For the region, the week is crowded: APEC leaders meet in Shenzhen, China, on November 18–19, a day after the Manila meetings end. How the US and Chinese leaders use the two summits will shape Asia’s agenda for 2027, when Singapore takes over as ASEAN chair.
What to watch
- The Chairman’s Statement at the end of the summit, including language on the South China Sea and Myanmar.
- The Marcos–Trump bilateral meeting.
- Confirmation of India’s representation at the ASEAN–India Summit and the East Asia Summit.
Inside the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the main ASEAN Summit venue. Image: Brutalist Pilipinas, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo source · Licence
Sources
- Philippine News Agency: 19 world leaders confirmed to attend ASEAN Summit in Manila (DFA)
- Philippine News Agency: PBBM to hold bilateral meetings with Trump, 4 world leaders
- ASEAN Secretariat: Secretary-General to participate in the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits
- Philippine News Agency: PH begins ASEAN Summit countdown
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: Xi Jinping to attend the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting
The International Desk covers world and Asian affairs, diplomacy and conflict, with a focus on what they mean for India. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.
