ASEAN AMM Retreat in Cebu gets going

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THE Philippines is set for its ASEAN chairmanship with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) on Jan. 28–29.

This will set the tone for regional discussions on security, prosperity, and people-centered cooperation under the theme “Navigating Our Future Together.”

The AMM Retreat, the first major meeting under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairship, will be held at the Nustar Resort and Casino and chaired by Foreign Affairs Sec. Ma. Theresa Lazaro, ASEAN spokesperson, Dominic Xavier Imperial said during a press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

According to Imperial, the two-day meeting will begin with an informal consultation on the five-point consensus on Myanmar, followed by the retreat proper, where foreign ministers will discuss the Philippines’ chairship priorities and key deliverables.

Ministers will also follow up on outcomes of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025 and exchange views on pressing regional and global developments.

Imperial said the situation in Myanmar will be tackled within the framework of the five-point consensus, which remains ASEAN’s agreed approach.

Myanmar will be represented at the retreat by its senior officials’ meeting (SOM) leader, with the rank of permanent secretary of foreign affairs.

Asked about the recent elections in Myanmar, Imperial cautioned against speculation, noting that discussions will be guided by the consensus framework agreed upon by ASEAN member states.

Beyond Myanmar, foreign ministers are expected to raise a wide range of issues affecting the region.

Imperial said the retreat format allows for “very candid discussions,” giving ministers latitude to bring up concerns on regional and global developments.

“These could include developments in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea, as well as other regional concerns, depending on what ASEAN member states themselves raise,” he said.

He added that issues such as the Thailand-Cambodia border situation may also be discussed if brought forward by the parties concerned.

Moreover, Imperial confirmed that negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea between ASEAN and China will take place, although details on dates and venue remain confidential by agreement of the parties.

“What is important is that there will be movement in the negotiations,” he said.

Imperial stressed that all parties remain committed to continuing talks and working toward concluding discussions within the agreed 2026 timeline set under guidelines adopted in 2023.

He said the Philippines, as ASEAN chair, is facilitating progress by encouraging more frequent meetings, which he described as critical to addressing outstanding issues in the negotiations.

As ASEAN chair, the Philippines has identified three main priorities: security anchors, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment.

Imperial said these priorities are designed to be mutually reinforcing and to address cross-pillar issues facing the region, including emerging security threats, maritime cooperation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).

On AI, he said ASEAN is engaging a broad range of dialogue partners, including Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, and Western partners, without leaning toward any single bloc.

The focus, he said, is on accessing technologies and partnerships that best serve ASEAN’s development goals while ensuring responsible and inclusive use.

Maritime cooperation, he added, remains a key concern for both ASEAN collectively and individual member states, given its implications for regional stability and economic activity.

Imperial said that while discussions among foreign ministers may appear abstract, they translate into concrete actions through ASEAN’s institutional mechanisms.

After ministerial discussions, tasks are assigned to senior officials and sectoral bodies, which then develop programs and projects that directly affect people across the region, he said.

These include initiatives on climate resilience, education and scholarships, youth innovation, and food security, often supported by ASEAN funds or dialogue partners.

“All these discussions are eventually translated into actions,” Imperial said. “That is where we see the impact on ordinary ASEAN citizens.”

The AMM Retreat is one of several high-level meetings scheduled to mark the start of the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship in 2026.(TGP)