ERIA Commits to Supporting the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship

Makati, 24 February 2026: ERIA has pledged its full support for the Philippines' 2026 ASEAN Chairship, underscoring the need for deeper regional integration and greater resilience amid rising geopolitical and economic fragmentation.

ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe made the remarks at the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders' Forum organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Committee on Business and Investment Promotion, as part of preparations for the Philippines' ASEAN Chairship.

In his keynote address, President Watanabe highlighted the growing challenges facing the global economy. He noted that geopolitical tensions are increasingly fragmenting supply chains, trade, and investment flows, while trust between countries continues to erode.

Against this backdrop, he described ASEAN as a continuing anchor of openness and regional integration. However, he cautioned that openness alone is no longer sufficient. ASEAN, he said, must strengthen its resilience and strategic autonomy by more closely aligning its economic agenda with emerging security and geopolitical considerations.

President Watanabe commended the Philippines for assuming the 2026 ASEAN Chairship at a critical juncture. Decisions taken during its tenure, he noted, will play an important role in shaping how ASEAN manages uncertainty, sustains growth, maintains peace, and deepens regional integration.

He also expressed his appreciation to DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque and her team for their trust and close collaboration with ERIA. In this context, he highlighted the recent Memorandum of Understanding between ERIA and the DTI, under which ERIA has committed to supporting the Philippines' Chairship priorities, including supply chain resilience, digital transformation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

As a long-standing partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ERIA reaffirmed its role as a premier knowledge partner, providing evidence-based research, policy advice, capacity building, and engagement with policymakers, businesses, industry leaders, and the media. These efforts aim to support the Philippine Chairship and contribute to strong, forward-looking outcomes for ASEAN.

President Watanabe expressed hope that the forum would foster constructive dialogue on the Philippines' economic direction and ASEAN's shared future, helping to articulate a clear narrative around the region's strengths, key industries, and role in promoting inclusive growth and deeper integration.

The forum brought together editors, economic opinion leaders, business representatives, and government officials to exchange views under the Philippines' ASEAN Chairship theme of navigating the future together.