By — Jim Gomez, Associated Press Jim Gomez, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/southeast-asian-leaders-open-annual-summit-with-major-conflicts-and-their-impact-topping-the-agenda Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Southeast Asian leaders open annual summit with major conflicts and their impact topping the agenda World Nov 15, 2026 4:21 PM EST MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders opened their annual summit in the Philippine capital Manila on Sunday for three days of talks, including dialogues with world leaders led by U.S. President Donald Trump, whose crucial trip to Asia could help boost his standing after his party's defeat in the midterm elections. The talks by the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their expanded discussions with Asian and Western heads of state would focus on the world's most troubling conflicts led by the war in the Middle East, according to drafts of post-summit communiques seen by The Associated Press. Trump is expected to land in Manila with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday afternoon, after the main ASEAN summit meetings have concluded and Philippine…
Southeast Asian leaders open annual summit with major conflicts and their impact topping the agenda
In short
The three-day ASEAN summit commenced in Manila with an agenda heavily focused on global warfare, territorial friction, and economic challenges. Member states are preparing communiques aimed at de-escalating the Myanmar crisis and maritime disputes, even as consensus remains difficult to achieve. The event will broaden on Tuesday when U.S. President Donald Trump arrives alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio for security meetings with the Quad and Southeast Asian leaders. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will subsequently host a bilateral session with Trump before leadership passes to Singapore.
Key points
- Draft communiques indicate the 11-nation bloc will formally urge self-restraint regarding…: Draft communiques indicate the 11-nation bloc will formally urge self-restraint regarding the South China Sea disputes and Myanmar's civil war.
- The U.S. delegation aims to reassure Indo-Pacific treaty allies following domestic Republ…: The U.S. delegation aims to reassure Indo-Pacific treaty allies following domestic Republican losses in recent midterm elections.
- Singapore is slated to take over the rotating annual chairmanship of the regional associa…: Singapore is slated to take over the rotating annual chairmanship of the regional association at the conclusion of the Manila talks.