30 January 2026
Multilateral Matters – January 2026
ASEAN in 2026: The Philippines Takes the Helm
The advent of the new year also marked the official start of the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship. By setting a ‘forward-looking’ agenda, Manila is tasked with continuing the progress made during Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship and laying the groundwork for ASEAN’s long-term Vision 2045. However, with an international order inching closer to its breaking point, strengthening the region’s resilience has become more important than ever. How then can Manila help ASEAN “navigate their future, together”?
Featured Commentary
Regional and Domestic Interests in the Philippines’ ASEAN Agenda
By Jose Miguelito Enriquez
In this quarter’s featured commentary, Jose Miguelito Enriquez looks into some of Manila’s priorities as it takes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, particularly in maritime security, ethical AI, and supply chain integration, and how both regional and domestic interests weave neatly in each of these domains.
CMS Events and Outreach
- From 21-27 November 2025, CMS Head Dr Joel Ng travelled to Canada to participate in the Halifax International Security Forum and for engagements with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Canadian International Council.
- On 4 December 2025, RSIS hosted a roundtable featuring Dr Dan McCoy entitled “To Negotiate a Labyrinth: Indonesia Within and Without ASEAN During the Third Indochina War (1978-1991)” to discuss Indonesia’s calibrated diplomatic strategy during what he described as “ASEAN’s most significant stress test” since its founding.
ASEAN in 2026: The Philippines Takes the Helm
The advent of the new year also marked the official start of the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship. By setting a ‘forward-looking’ agenda, Manila is tasked with continuing the progress made during Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship and laying the groundwork for ASEAN’s long-term Vision 2045. However, with an international order inching closer to its breaking point, strengthening the region’s resilience has become more important than ever. How then can Manila help ASEAN “navigate their future, together”?
Featured Commentary
Regional and Domestic Interests in the Philippines’ ASEAN Agenda
By Jose Miguelito Enriquez
In this quarter’s featured commentary, Jose Miguelito Enriquez looks into some of Manila’s priorities as it takes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, particularly in maritime security, ethical AI, and supply chain integration, and how both regional and domestic interests weave neatly in each of these domains.
CMS Events and Outreach
- From 21-27 November 2025, CMS Head Dr Joel Ng travelled to Canada to participate in the Halifax International Security Forum and for engagements with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the Canadian International Council.
- On 4 December 2025, RSIS hosted a roundtable featuring Dr Dan McCoy entitled “To Negotiate a Labyrinth: Indonesia Within and Without ASEAN During the Third Indochina War (1978-1991)” to discuss Indonesia’s calibrated diplomatic strategy during what he described as “ASEAN’s most significant stress test” since its founding.
