ASU convenes leaders to spotlight Philippines’ vision for ASEAN chairship
Through its US-ASEAN Center, the university hosted government, industry and academic leaders in Washington, D.C., to explore the Philippines' 2026 priorities for peace, prosperity and regional cooperation
(From left) Brian Harding, moderator and U.S.-Philippines Society senior advisor; Hans Siriban, Philippine Embassy minister; David Weller, senior director of policy at Google for Southeast Asia, South Asia and Taiwan; Heba Shams, vice president for government affairs and policy at Mastercard; and Kevin McGinnis, vice president for strategic technology initiatives at ASU field questions from the attendees at the Philippines ASEAN Chairship 2026: Advancing Regional Resilience and U.S.-ASEAN Collaboration event at the ASU Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy Hager Sharp
Each year, a different member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations assumes the chairship, rotating leadership across the region. In 2026, the Philippines holds the role.
Through its U.S.-ASEAN Center, Arizona State University brought together leaders in government, business, academia and civil society in Washington, D.C., for two expert panels and several discussions on the Philippines’ priorities for its chairship year.
“As we look ahead to 2027 and the 50th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations, we are reminded of how much we have accomplished together and how much more we can achieve,” said Mimi Wang, acting deputy assistant secretary and director of the Southeast Asia Office from the Department of State. “In the months ahead, as we prepare to celebrate 50 years of U.S.-ASEAN relations, we will build on the progress we have made and forge new avenues of cooperation that set the stage for the next 50 years.”
The event “comes at a very important moment for Southeast Asia and for the broader Indo-Pacific region,” said Anh Hoang, director of the U.S.-ASEAN Center, at the event, which was co-hosted by the Philippine Embassy in the U.S. and the U.S.-Philippines Society. “The region faces both significant opportunities and complex challenges, from strengthening economic resilience and accelerating digital transformation to enhancing maritime security and regional collaborations.”
The country’s theme for its chairship is “Navigating Our Future, Together,” a sentiment that was heard, felt and seen throughout the conversations circulating at the event.
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Mimi Wang, acting deputy assistant secretary and director of the Southeast Asia Office at the Department of State, gives remarks to an audience at the Philippines ASEAN Chairship 2026: Advancing Regional Resilience and U.S.-ASEAN Collaboration event at the ASU Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center in Washington, D.C.
Photo by Hager Sharp
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Brian Harding, moderator and U.S.-Philippines Society senior advisor; Heather Variava, senior advisor at the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; Felipe F. Cariño III, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of the Philippines to the United States; Carrie Esko, director of global trade policy and resiliency at Amkor Technology; Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela of the Philippine Coast Guard discuss peace, regional stability and supply chains at the Philippines ASEAN Chairship 2026: Advancing Regional Resilience and U.S.-ASEAN Collaboration event at the ASU Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center in Washington, D.C.
Photo courtesy Hager Sharp
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Jose Manuel Romualdez, ambassador of the Philippines to the U.S., shares the three main pillars that drive ASEAN growth and centrality at the Philippines ASEAN Chairship 2026: Advancing Regional Resilience and U.S.-ASEAN Collaboration event at the ASU Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center in Washington, D.C.
Photo courtesy Hager Sharp
In his welcome address, Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez shared three main pillars for the 2026 chairship:
- Peace, by championing international law and regional dialogue
- Prosperity, through corridors that drive economic integration, digital transformation and clean energy transitions
- People, by ensuring that growth through the first two pillars promotes social inclusion and protection for all
The three pillars of peace, prosperity and people “continue to drive ASEAN growth and centrality,” said Hoang. “It also creates an important opportunity to deepen collaboration between ASEAN and the United States at a time when strong partnerships are essential for fostering regional stability, economic opportunity and shared prosperity.”
The event’s two panels explored the three pillars, each one hosting a slate of expert panelists ranging from industry leaders at Google and Mastercard to leaders in government, university and Philippine relations. Panelists discussed topics ranging from how industries are investing in programs in AI training and cybersecurity for ASEAN businesses to the importance of maritime security and the semiconductor supply chain. And through all the discussions, there was a common thread of peace in the Philippines’ chairship role and relations with the United States.
“As ASEAN chair, the Philippines remains committed to working with the U.S. and all ASEAN dialogue partners to foster a region that is peaceful, prosperous, resilient and responsive to the needs of our peoples,” said Felipe Cariño III, deputy chief of mission.
The event also recognized the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which binds ASEAN nations in peace and cooperation. While important historic moments were celebrated, the event’s focus was on building a brighter future for participating nations.
“The biggest, most innovative companies and universities in the world are very focused on ASEAN,” said U.S.-Philippines Society Senior Advisor Brian Harding, who moderated the panels. “And that's a terrific thing.”
Learn more about Arizona State University’s U.S.-ASEAN Center here: https://us-asean.asu.edu/