ASEAN Leaders Convene in Manila for Annual Summit

Southeast Asian leaders are set to convene in Manila this weekend for their annual summit, a gathering that will tackle some of the world's most entrenched conflicts.

The three-day meeting of ASEAN and its regional counterparts is expected to draw heavy security presence at the convention center in Manila Bay, where discussions on key issues will take place. US President Donald Trump has been invited to join the final talks, adding an international dimension to the summit.

The agenda for the summit includes a call for peaceful resolutions to longstanding disputes in the South China Sea, as well as the conflicts in Myanmar and the Middle East. Meanwhile, ASEAN's long-standing policy of non-interference in member states' domestic affairs is set to be reaffirmed, allowing the bloc to maintain its cohesion despite diverse membership.

The Philippines holds the rotating leadership of ASEAN this year, with the summit marking a milestone in the country's chairmanship of the regional bloc. The event will provide an opportunity for leaders from different countries and backgrounds to come together and discuss pressing global issues.

The ASEAN summit has a reputation for showcasing unity through cultural displays, but critics argue that it often fails to address regional conflicts effectively.

Leaders from various countries will be meeting face-to-face in Manila, without any expected changes in dynamics. The Philippines is set to hand over the leadership of ASEAN to Singapore after concluding the main summit meetings on Tuesday afternoon.

US President Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are scheduled to arrive in Manila on Tuesday afternoon, following the conclusion of the ASEAN summit. They will participate in key meetings that evening, including a special summit with ASEAN leaders over cocktails.

A meeting between the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue members, comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, is also planned for Tuesday night. China's Premier Li Qiang will be present at a separate meeting with ASEAN leaders on Monday, but will depart before Trump's arrival.

The prepared communiques outline the agenda for discussion, which includes regional and international issues of concern. They emphasize the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Charter.

The ASEAN foreign ministers' pre-summit talks got underway on Saturday, with a symbolic display of unity as they linked hands and took a joint photo on stage. Behind them, their national flags stood aligned in a show of solidarity.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro hosted the discussions, which will also feature her report on a recent trip to Myanmar. In that country, she pressed the government to do more to comply with a five-point peace plan devised by ASEAN leaders five years ago.

Myanmar's leader and foreign minister have been barred from attending ASEAN meetings due to their government's failure to fully abide by the peace plan. The plan calls for an end to fighting in Myanmar, where clashes have resulted in significant loss of life.

The prepared communiques emphasize the need for all parties involved in Myanmar's conflicts to immediately cease violence and allow safe passage for humanitarian aid. They also stress the importance of inclusive dialogue with stakeholders and the release of those detained unjustly.

Meanwhile, negotiations between China and ASEAN members over a non-aggression pact have made significant progress. A code of conduct is being drafted, which would govern interactions in the South China Sea, where Beijing's claims overlap with those of Taiwan and four ASEAN countries.

ASEAN leaders are pushing for a peaceful resolution to conflicts in the South China Sea, where tensions have been escalating between Beijing's claims and those of Taiwan and four ASEAN countries.

The proposed pact, which has undergone more than two decades of discussions, will not be finalized this year but negotiations will resume next year.