The United States Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has welcomed the Philippines’ upcoming chairship of the bloc next year.

“We now welcome the Philippines as the ASEAN Chair for 2026. (We look) forward to working together to drive growth, create opportunities, and deepen ties that benefit both America and the region,” it said on Wednesday.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally accepted from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim the bloc’s chairship this year during a turnover ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 28.

As chair, Marcos said the Philippines will steer the bloc towards initiatives that would “fortify peace and security anchors, strengthen prosperity corridors, and advance people empowerment.”

The ASEAN, with Manila at the helm, will be launching a series of high-level meeting under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together” next year.

At the 13th ASEAN-US Summit on Oct. 26, Marcos recognized the US’ active and meaningful engagement with ASEAN across all three its pillar —political-security, economic, and socio-cultural.

In his intervention speech, he thanked Washington DC’s support in promoting peace at seas, combatting transnational crime, counter-terrorism while acknowledging its important role in advancing economic development in the region.

“We recognize that the global economic landscape is marked by uncertainty. ASEAN values its partnership with the United States and seeks to build practical, strategic, and forward-looking collaboration that delivers concrete outcomes for our businesses and citizens alike,” he said. (PNA)