ASEAN foreign ministers to tackle South China Sea

Top diplomats from all Southeast Asian countries will sit down for talks over the South China Sea issue, the political developments in Myanmar, and the Thailand-Cambodia conflict, among other concerns, on Thursday, Jan. 29, as the Philippines is hosting this year's annual meet for the regional bloc.

- By JOSEPH PEDRAJAS

ASEAN PLUS THREE MEETING Department of Tourism Undersecretary Verna C. Buencsuceso cites Association of Southeast Asian Nations dialogue partners Japan, Korea, and China for their vital role in strengthening the region's tourism economy and supporting livelihoods across communities during the 46th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three National Tourism Organizations in Cebu. (ASEAN 2026 PH FB)

All foreign ministers of the 11-member Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have confirmed their attendance for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' (AMM) Retreat in Cebu, according to ASEAN spokesman for ASEAN Matters Dominic Xavier Imperial.

The actual AMM Retreat will be held on Jan. 29—a day after the Preparatory ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (Prep-SOM) for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' (AMM) Retreat, where high-ranking diplomats gather for related talks ahead of their ministers' meeting.

General situation in the South China Sea and the developments on the crafting of the Code of Conduct, which has not had any momentous progress for years, are set to be discussed by region's top diplomats against the backdrop of the continued maritime tension between the this year's ASEAN host, the Philippines, and China, the bloc's dialogue partner.

This year, ASEAN members and China “are all on board in terms” of reaching a conclusion of the negotiations," said Imperial in a press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

"So, that is one thing to highlight... all the parties are bent on being able to, hopefully, endeavor concluding the negotiations within the 2026 timeline," he said.