The Philippines convened ASEAN senior officials in Pasay City on June 8 as it pushed for continued collective action to sustain the momentum of its ASEAN chairship.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim, who serves as the Philippines’ Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) leader, presided over the ASEAN SOM at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The meeting was the fourth gathering of ASEAN senior officials under the Philippine chairship. It sought to build on the outcomes of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu and advance preparations for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July 2026.
“We have charted a steady course, generating momentum across all three pillars and through our key ASEAN-led mechanisms,” Herrera-Lim said in his opening remarks.
Guided by the Philippines’ chairship vision to “Lead, Sail, and Rise” as one region, senior officials discussed several priority agenda items, including applications for accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
They also tackled preparations for the commemorative activity marking the 50th anniversary of the treaty in July.
The meeting also covered possible areas of cooperation under the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, with ASEAN officials reaffirming the region’s commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament.
Officials likewise discussed the need to maintain strong engagement with ASEAN’s external partners as the region responds to common risks and emerging challenges.
Herrera-Lim urged ASEAN senior officials to make full use of the progress already achieved under the Philippine chairship.
“As we convene for today’s Senior Officials’ Meeting, this progress serves to remind us of how far we can go if only we navigate uncertainty together,” he said.
“It is in this context that I encourage all of us to capitalize on the momentum that we have generated in our engagements,” he added.