ASEAN News

ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials Meet in Kazan, Mark 35 Years

The 22nd ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials Meeting (ARSOM) convened in Kazan, Russia, on April 21, 2026, co-chaired by Permanent Secretary Hau Khan Sum of Myanmar and Deputy Minister Andrey Rudenko of the Russian Federation. The meeting reviewed progress under the ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2021-2025 and noted ongoing consideration of a successor document for 2026-2030. A Commemorative Summit is scheduled for June 2026 in Kazan to mark the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations.

ASEAN Secretary-General Attends Reception for Philippines Foreign Secretary Lazaro

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn attended a reception on April 22, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Jakarta, hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, in honor of H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and Chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) 2026. The reception followed a bilateral meeting between Dr. Kao and Secretary Lazaro at ASEAN Headquarters. Representatives from ASEAN Member States and the diplomatic community participated, underscoring the Philippines' ongoing engagement with ASEAN and its external partners.

Philippines Foreign Minister Visits ASEAN, Hands Over Chairship Sculpture

H.E. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, visited ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta on April 22, 2026, for a bilateral meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. The visit included a ceremonial handover of the Philippines' commemorative Chairship sculpture, titled 'Vitality 2026,' which will be permanently housed in the ASEAN Gallery. The principals also discussed the Philippines' priorities during its 2026 ASEAN Chairship amid global turmoil and the energy crisis.