ASEAN to establish maritime center in Philippines

• President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr said leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reached a broad consensus supporting the establishment of an ASEAN Maritime Center in the Philippines.

• Speaking at a press conference in Cebu following the 48th ASEAN Summit, Marcos said the concept and principle behind the proposed center were fully agreed on by ASEAN member states.

• It will consolidate the maritime operations of the 11 Member States.

• The proposed ASEAN Maritime Center was earlier included in the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation adopted during the summit.

• The ASEAN Declaration of Maritime Cooperation is in line with the ASEAN Vision 2045, which is set to establish the Connectivity Pillar that will enhance all existing community pillars, namely economic, foreign, and socio-cultural.

• The initiative aims to strengthen coordination on maritime concerns across Southeast Asia, particularly ensuring freedom of navigation, maritime safety and peaceful transit in the South China Sea.

• A large portion of global trade passes through the South China Sea, making maritime stability critical not only for ASEAN but also for the broader global economy.

• Another significant outcome of the Summit was the adoption of the Cebu Protocol to Amend the Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, marking the first amendment to the ASEAN Charter since its signing in 2007. 

What is ASEAN?

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok by five countries — Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

• There are currently 11 member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.

• The ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the heads of State or government of ASEAN member states. As per regular practice, the ASEAN Summit Meetings shall be held twice annually. The first ASEAN Summit was held in Bali, Indonesia on February 23-24, 1976.

• ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region. India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia, are its dialogue partners.

• Philippines is the ASEAN Chair for 2026, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr leading the country’s chairmanship under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”.