Philippines To Bring Fresh Sociocultural Focus To 2026 Asean Chairmanship

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Foreign secretary Maria-Theresa Lazaro says Manila will continue the Malaysia-led progress while injecting innovation to the bloc’s people-centred pillar.
Philippines foreign secretary Maria-Theresa Lazaro expects the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation to be one of the highlights of Manila’s Asean chairmanship.KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippines is set to place greater emphasis on Asean’s sociocultural dimension when it takes over the bloc’s chairmanship in 2026, its foreign secretary Maria-Theresa Lazaro said
While Lazaro said Manila’s broad priorities would centre on peace and security, maritime cooperation and climate change, the nation also intends to introduce innovations under the sociocultural pillar, an area she said was key to fostering regional solidarity.
“(Manila’s priorities) are very important and cross-cutting, as they are reflected in the three pillars of the Asean community.
“(However) we have to look into the sociocultural aspects, because that is one pillar that we have always espoused,” she said in an interview with FMT.

The sociocultural aspect of Asean’s work is carried out through the Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), one of the bloc’s three main pillars, alongside the Political-Security and Economic Communities.
ASCC focuses on nurturing human, cultural and natural resources for sustainable development, while fostering a shared Asean identity.
Separately, Lazaro said one of the highlights of Manila’s chairmanship would be the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).
“We have plans to make this a big celebration of sorts. The countries who have acceded will be reminded of the TAC’s spirit, which everyone has to accede to before one can really join Asean,” she said.
Signed in 1976, the TAC serves as Asean’s core peace and friendship pact, committing members and partners to principles of non-interference, mutual respect and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
There are currently 58 signatories to the TAC, with Finland being the most recent after signing it last Saturday, prior to the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
At the signing, Finnish foreign minister Elina Valtonen said the move marked a significant milestone in Finland’s relationship with Asean and its member states, the Malay Mail reported. - FMT

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