Marcos Opens 48th ASEAN Summit Retreat in Cebu

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. opened the retreat session of the 48th ASEAN Summit on May 8, 2026 at the Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu. As chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for 2026, the Philippines is advancing the LEAD-SAIL-RISE Framework to align the group's three community pillars into a single strategy.

The framework seeks to reinforce a rules-based political-security community under LEAD, drive an integrated and innovation-led economic community under SAIL, and promote a people-centered socio-cultural community under RISE. Marcos said the approach translates ASEAN's long-term vision in ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future into coordinated actions on peace, prosperity, and people empowerment.

Marcos stated that the region faces a time of uncertainty in which events far from Southeast Asia demonstrate the depth of global interconnection. He noted that instability in one part of the globe can quickly affect supply chains, financial markets, and daily life across countries.

The Philippine leader pointed to recent oil supply disruptions as an example of external shocks that have affected business, work, and living conditions in ASEAN nations. He added that even if tensions de-escalate, damage to infrastructure, systems, and trust may persist for years.

ASEAN 2045 had already identified major power rivalries, supply chain disruptions, and resource security issues as tests for the region. Marcos said these challenges require effective responses but also offer opportunities to build a more resilient, innovative, and people-centered community.

Consistent with the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together," the Philippine Chairship has set strategic priorities that the LEAD-SAIL-RISE Framework is designed to support. Marcos said leaders gathered that morning for a candid and productive exchange on regional energy security, food security in the face of external shocks, and the safety of nationals working abroad.

He described these issues as immediate responsibilities that demand foresight, coordination, and collective action. The retreat session was scheduled to address how ASEAN can navigate uncertainty together through strengthened institutions, existing mechanisms, and implemented action plans.

The afternoon session was set to cover two topics:

ASEAN's capacity to manage and mitigate the impacts of oil supply disruptions and price volatility, as well as lessons learned from the recent geopolitical crisis. Marcos noted that a few weeks of disruptions can require years to correct and test both governments and communities.

He expressed confidence that the retreat discussions would help advance the LEAD-SAIL-RISE approach for the region, its peoples, and the future. The summit is taking place as the Philippines holds the ASEAN chairmanship for 2026.