ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn joined regional leaders and ministers in Cebu to advance discussions on regional resilience, cross-pillar cooperation, and ASEAN 2045 priorities
Cebu, Philippines — Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn participated in a series of high-level meetings and summit engagements in Cebu, Philippines, as ASEAN leaders and ministers gathered for the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.
The meetings brought together ASEAN leaders, foreign ministers, economic ministers, and senior officials to discuss regional priorities, evolving geopolitical developments, and the future direction of ASEAN cooperation.
Source: The ASEAN Secretariat
Dr Kao joined the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers’ Meeting, co-chaired by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Secretary of Trade and Industry Ma. Cristina A. Roque. During the meeting, ministers exchanged views on the changing global and regional landscape and its implications for ASEAN.
The discussions underscored the importance of stronger cross-pillar collaboration to ensure coherent, timely, and effective regional responses to emerging challenges.
Dr Kao also participated in the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council, where he briefed ministers on the work of APSC sectoral bodies and the initial implementation of the APSC Strategic Plan under ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.
At the 38th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, Dr Kao updated ministers on key developments within ASEAN and the operations of the ASEAN Secretariat. Final preparations for the 48th ASEAN Summit were also concluded during the session.
In addition, Dr Kao attended the Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit, where leaders adopted the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035.
In his remarks, Dr Kao highlighted the importance of strengthening ASEAN–BIMP-EAGA cooperation through enhanced institutional coordination, effective joint initiatives, and expanded capacity-building and knowledge-sharing efforts.
Source: The ASEAN Secretariat
The series of engagements culminated with Dr Kao attending the Opening Ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, officiated by Philippine President H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who serves as ASEAN Chair for 2026.
The summit reflects ASEAN’s continued commitment to regional unity, sustainable development, and deeper cooperation amid an increasingly complex global environment.
Source: The ASEAN Secretariat
