BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah will attend the 49th Asean Summit and Related Summits, which will be held in Manila, the Philippines, from Nov 15 to 17, 2026.
The monarch will then proceed to Shenzhen, Guangdong, the People’s Republic of China, to attend the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), which will be held from Nov 18 to 19, 2026.
The Philippines, as Chair of Asean in 2026, carries the theme ‘Navigating Our Future, Together’. The 2026 Chairship reflects the Philippines’ commitment to leading Asean with unity, clarity, and purpose.
It is a call to steer the Asean region toward greater resilience, deeper connection, and meaningful change that places our people at the centre of progress. The 49th Asean Summit is expected to advance discussions under all three Asean Community Pillars, guided by the strategic priorities of the Philippines’ Chairship: peace and security anchors; prosperity corridors; and people empowerment.
During the 48th Asean Summit, Leaders adopted the Cebu Protocol to Amend the Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which formally reflects Timor-Leste’s status as an Asean Member State in the Asean Charter. The Protocol marks the first amendment to the Asean Charter since it entered into force in 2008.
The People’s Republic of China is hosting Apec in 2026 under the theme ‘Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together’, with three priorities: Openness, Innovation and Cooperation. The AELM is the highlight of Apec Economic Leaders’ Week.
Apec was established in 1989 by 12 founding member economies, including Brunei Darussalam, and has now grown to 21 member economies across the Asia-Pacific region.
Through close cooperation among Apec member economies, this forum seeks to foster sustainable economic growth and strengthen regional economic integration, while promoting a free, open, fair, transparent and predictable environment for trade and investment.
The People’s Republic of China previously hosted Apec in Shanghai in 2001 and Beijing in 2014. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
