The expected presence of some of the most prominent figures in global politics, from US President Trump to UN Secretary-General Guterres, at this year’s ASEAN Summit in the Philippines highlights Southeast Asia’s growing geopolitical and economic weight. Maritime security will feature prominently, with Manila placing the issue at the heart of its 2026 ASEAN chairmanship against the backdrop of mounting tensions in the South China Sea. Leaders are also expected to address trade and economic resilience, relations with China, and the unresolved crisis in Myanmar. As Germany and the EU deepen their engagement with the Philippines and Southeast Asia, the lack of high-level political representation at the summit is all the more regrettable.
