ASEAN to Commemorate 59th Anniversary, Celebrating Regional Solidarity and a Shared Future

JAKARTA, 7 August 2026 - ASEAN will commemorate its 59th Anniversary on 8 August 2026 under the theme, "Navigating Our Future, Together," aligned with the Philippines' ASEAN Chairship for 2026. The celebration will be held at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, bringing together the diplomatic community, representatives of ASEAN Member States, ASEAN entities and centres, and partners to reaffirm the region's collective commitment to unity, resilience, cooperation, and a shared future.

The morning ceremony will begin with the ASEAN Anthem, followed by a video presentation entitled "Navigating Our Future, Together." Welcome remarks will be delivered by Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, while Ferdinand F. Marcos, President of the Republic of the Philippines and ASEAN Chair for 2026, will deliver the ASEAN Chair's Remarks through a video message. A special ASEAN Day address by Sugiono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, is also expected.

The programme will also feature cultural performances by a Filipino artist, a special anniversary commemoration segment, and a video presentation on "ASEAN 11," highlighting ASEAN's expanded membership with the accession of Timor-Leste.

As part of the ASEAN Day programme, the ASEAN Secretariat will convene a Commemorative Ceremony marking the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The event will include opening remarks by the Secretary-General of ASEAN, address by the ASEAN Chair, represented by Ambassador Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, and keynote remarks by Ambassador M.I Derry Aman, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to ASEAN.

A key highlight of the commemorative ceremony will be the inauguration of the Display Corner of the 62 Flags of the High Contracting Parties of the TAC, symbolising the enduring commitment of the participating states to peace, friendship, and cooperation in the region.

The celebration will continue with the ASEAN Day Food Festival and the Exhibition of ASEAN Entities and Centres of Excellence, offering participants a vibrant showcase of the region's culinary heritage, cultural diversity, and collaborative initiatives that contribute to ASEAN Community building.

This year's ASEAN Day underscores the Associations' determination to navigate emerging challenges and seizing opportunities together as one Community, guided by the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the spirit of unity, solidarity and cooperation that has defined ASEAN for nearly six decades.