Senior officials from ASEAN Member States convened in Manila to review preparations for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings. The discussions also advanced key priorities on ASEAN Community-building and the bloc’s external relations.
The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) convened in Manila on 19 July 2026, bringing together senior representatives from ASEAN Member States to finalise preparations for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings. The meeting forms a key step in ensuring the readiness of the ministerial agenda and facilitating meaningful discussions on regional priorities.
During the meeting, senior officials reviewed the programme and substantive preparations for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and its related engagements. The discussions focused on ensuring that the upcoming ministerial meetings would effectively address issues of regional importance while reinforcing ASEAN’s commitment to cooperation, dialogue and consensus-based decision-making.
The SOM also exchanged views on a range of matters related to ASEAN Community-building, reflecting the organisation’s continued efforts to strengthen political-security cooperation, economic integration, and socio-cultural collaboration among Member States. Officials reaffirmed the importance of maintaining ASEAN unity and advancing initiatives that contribute to regional resilience and sustainable development.
In addition, the meeting discussed ASEAN’s external relations, including preparations for engagements with Dialogue Partners and other external stakeholders during the ministerial meetings. These discussions underscored ASEAN’s commitment to fostering constructive partnerships that support regional peace, stability and shared prosperity amid an evolving geopolitical landscape.
The meeting was attended by ASEAN SOM Leaders or their representatives from all ASEAN Member States, together with the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Political-Security Community. The outcomes of the discussions will contribute to the successful convening of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings, scheduled to take place in Manila.
Source: ASEAN
