ASEAN

Located in Cebu City, Museo Sugbo is one of the city’s most important heritage museums. Housed in a historic colonial-era building, the museum showcases Cebu’s rich history in shaping the Philippines today. As Cebu prepares to host the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, historical places like Museo Sugbo highlight the city’s vibrant heritage and cultural legacy.

H.E. Thongsavan Phomvihane, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), will undertake an official visit to the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, on 4 May 2026. H.E. Thongsavan will meet with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, to exchange views on key regional developments and discuss preparations for the upcoming 48th ASEAN Summit in the Republic of the Philippines. Additionally, an interface involving H.E. Thongsavan, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, and the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) will also be held.

As ASEAN Leaders prepare to gather in Cebu City for the upcoming 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, let’s explore one of the city’s historic landmarks! Originally built during the colonial period as a provincial government facility, this heritage building has been transformed into a museum that tells the rich story of Cebu and its people. Can you guess the name of this museum?

On 30 April 2026, Ambassador Lee Chul presented his Letter of Credence as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ASEAN to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.   Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Lee Chul on his appointment and welcomed him to ASEAN. He underscored the importance of the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting it as one of ASEAN’s most dynamic and comprehensive partnerships that continues to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. He also extended appreciation for the ROK’s continued support of ASEAN Community-building efforts, ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Dr. Kao affirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s commitment to working closely with Ambassador Lee Chul and the Mission of the ROK to ASEAN to further strengthen ASEAN-ROK cooperation.   Ambassador Lee Chul thanked Secretary-General Dr. Kao for the warm welcome. He expressed his honour in assuming the role as Ambassador of the ROK to ASEAN. He reaffirmed the ROK’s strong commitment to strengthening relations with ASEAN and looked forward to working with the ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat to advance the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his term of office.   Ambassador Lee Chul succeeds Ambassador Lee Jang-keun, who completed his tenure on 23 December 2025.

On International Labour Day, we acknowledge the contributions of workers across ASEAN and the importance of their safety and health. Through the ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network (ASEAN-OSHNET), ASEAN implements joint initiatives to promote occupational safety and health standards. Enterprises are encouraged to uphold high standards in the workplace.  The biennial ASEAN-OSHNET Awards recognise enterprises across the region that demonstrate excellence and leadership in occupational safety and health practices. In 2025, sixteen enterprises were awarded. Learn more: bit.ly/6thOSHNETworkp…

We, the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) Ministers, convened a Special ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting on 30 April 2026, via videoconference, to exchange views on the far-reaching economic implications arising from the situation in the Middle East and its escalating impacts on global energy markets, supply chains, food security, and transport and logistics networks. These developments are increasingly affecting our peoples and businesses across the region, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and are expected to have significant implication on the region’s overall economic growth. We expressed deep concern that the current disruptions to key maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, where around one-quarter of global seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through, with over 80 per cent destined for Asia, are posing severe risks to global energy security, fuelling persistent volatility in oil and LNG prices, and sharply increasing freight, insurance, and logistics costs. We recognised that the impacts of these shocks are extending beyond energy markets to generate inflationary pressures, exchange rate volatility, tighter global financial conditions, and heightened uncertainty for businesses and investors. Recalling the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statements on the situation in the Middle East, and to minimise disruptions to energy trade flows, we underscored the importance of maintaining secure and open sea lanes, ensuring freedom of navigation, and the safe, unimpeded and continuous transit passage of vessel and aircraft in straits used for international navigation, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Read the full statement: asean.org/joint-statemen…

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, attended a dinner hosted by H.E. Joanna Anderson, Ambassador of New Zealand to ASEAN. The engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on cooperation under the ASEAN–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established last year, and to explore ways in a bid to further strengthen collaboration and advance shared priorities between ASEAN and New Zealand.

On this day, on 30 April 1999, 27 years ago, the Kingdom of Cambodia was formally admitted as the tenth Member State of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This historic milestone marked a defining moment in ASEAN’s journey towards full regional integration, reinforcing unity among Member States and deepening our collective commitment to peace, stability, and inclusive cooperation across Southeast Asia. As we commemorate this occasion, we reaffirm ASEAN’s enduring vision of a cohesive, resilient, and people-centred Community.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a visit by H.E. Mr. Chatani Eiji, Chair of the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During their meeting, the two sides underscored the role of fair and competitive markets in supporting ASEAN’s economic integration, addressing digital market challenges, strengthening cross-border enforcement, and promoting fair business practices for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The meeting also exchanged views on potential cooperation with JFTC to advance ASEAN–Japan cooperation in competition policy.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today officiated the annual Halalbihalal organised by the ASEAN Secretariat Staff Welfare Committee (SWC). On the occasion, he extended his warm greetings to all staff and conveyed his best wishes following the festive season. He highlighted the gathering as a valued tradition reflecting the spirit of mutual respect, renewing goodwill and strengthening bonds. He further encouraged participation in staff engagement initiatives to promote well-being, strengthen working relations and a positive workplace culture, while deepening the sense of solidarity within the ASEAN Community.

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, today met with Ambassador Sitsangkhom Sisaketh, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN, to exchange views on ASEAN’s priorities and ongoing regional developments, as well as to discuss preparations for the upcoming Official Visit of H.E. Thongsavan Phomvihane, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, to the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat, in early May of this year.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today delivered remarks at the Launching Ceremony of the Disaster Management Cooperation Project between ASEAN and the People's Republic of China, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. In his remarks, Dr. Kao highlighted the importance of the Project in enhancing ASEAN’s capacity in disaster management, through three key components, namely human resources training, enhancing consultation and command system for disaster relief and emergency response, and support for Information and Communications Technology (ICT). He also underscored the Project’s contribution to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Programme 2026–2030, as well as its role in further strengthening the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The ceremony was attended by the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, and attended virtually by the Focal Points of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Management of China, respectively. Read the full remarks: asean.org/wp-content/upl…

Ambassador Lee Chul today presented his Letter of Credence as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ASEAN to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.   Secretary-General Dr. Kao congratulated Ambassador Lee Chul on his appointment and welcomed him to ASEAN. He underscored the importance of the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting it as one of ASEAN’s most dynamic and comprehensive partnerships that continues to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. He also extended appreciation for the ROK’s continued support of ASEAN Community-building efforts, ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Dr. Kao affirmed the ASEAN Secretariat’s commitment to working closely with Ambassador Lee Chul and the Mission of the ROK to ASEAN to further strengthen ASEAN-ROK cooperation.   Ambassador Lee Chul thanked Secretary-General Dr. Kao for the warm welcome. He expressed his honour in assuming the role as Ambassador of the ROK to ASEAN. He reaffirmed the ROK’s strong commitment to strengthening relations with ASEAN and looked forward to working with the ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat to advance the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during his term of office.   Ambassador Lee Chul succeeds Ambassador Lee Jang-keun, who completed his tenure on 23 December 2025.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today joined ASEAN Economic Community Council Ministers at the Special AEC Council Meeting, chaired by H.E. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Republic of the Philippines, to chart ASEAN’s path forward amidst pressing global challenges, via videoconference. The Ministers exchanged views on energy and food security, supply chain resilience, and deliberated on concrete regional actions to mitigate the impacts of the evolving situation in the Middle East on ASEAN economies and communities.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) convened the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) on 27-28 April 2026 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The Meeting was co-chaired by The Honourable Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam, as Country Coordinator of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations, and Her Excellency Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission. The Meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers from ASEAN and EU Member States, as well as representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat. We, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and the EU, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, reaffirmed the shared values and common interests that underpin 49 years of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations and noted with satisfaction the comprehensive and multifaceted nature of our partnership. We noted the good progress made in implementing the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action (2023-2027) and emphasised the importance of further strengthening our Strategic Partnership. Read the full statement: bit.ly/JMS-25AEMM

Today, the people of Viet Nam commemorate Reunification Day, also known as Liberation Day. On 30 April, this historic moment in 1975 marked the beginning of the country’s transition toward reunification. The process culminated in national elections that brought together the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam and the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, paving the way for the establishment of the modern nation officially known as the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

Today, our Buddhist friends in Myanmar observe the Full Moon Day of Kasone, one of the most sacred days in the Buddhist calendar. The name Kasone comes from the words Ku (water) and Sone (to pour), which is why the month is often associated with the water-pouring tradition. On this day, devotees visit pagodas and pour water at the roots of the sacred Bodhi Tree, symbolising respect and gratitude, as the tree is closely linked to the enlightenment of Gautama Buddha. This day also marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha into Nirvana.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, hosted an One-on-One dinner for H.E. Wang Qing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN. The engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on ASEAN–China relations, including the 5th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and 35th anniversary of Dialogue Relations as well as deliverables of ASEAN-China cooperation this year. Both sides also shared views on regional and global developments.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivers pre-recorded remarks at the launch of Advancing ASEAN: A Strategic Action Plan Supporting the Philippines’ 2026 Chairship of ASEAN, jointly developed by the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC). In his remark, SG Dr. Kao underscored the importance of public–private collaboration, effective implementation, and stronger partnerships in advancing ASEAN’s priorities under the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026. Watch the full remarks: youtu.be/KGjFV8ik0Y0

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs/Political Director in the European External Action Service (EEAS) of the European Union (EU), H.E. Olof Skoog at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Both sides discussed the outcomes of the recently-concluded 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, held on 28 April 2026, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, and exchanged views on strengthening of ASEAN-EU relations.