The Philippines expects a landmark digital economy agreement to be among the outcomes of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in Manila on 15–17 November, as the country uses its chairmanship to showcase its readiness for new investment and partnerships.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim told a forum at the University of the Philippines Asian Center that the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) is expected to be a deliverable of the November summit. The agreement would be the world's first binding region-wide deal on the digital economy, covering cross-border data flows, digital trade, digital payments and talent mobility.

Negotiations on the agreement were concluded earlier this year, with senior economic officials resolving all outstanding issues in Manila in late May. The text was finalised in April, followed by legal scrubbing, and formal signing is scheduled for the summit in November.

Power grid also on the agenda

The Philippines will also push for implementation of the proposed ASEAN Power Grid, which would allow countries to access power generation sources in other member states. Herrera-Lim said the grid would let investors generate power in one country and sell it in another, increasing economic activity across the region.

Who is attending

Leaders of every ASEAN country apart from Myanmar are confirmed to attend; Myanmar will be represented by a career diplomat. Other confirmed participants include US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Brazil's re-elected President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

ASEAN 2026 National Organizing Council Director-General for Operations Ma. Hellen De La Vega said the summit would show the world that the Philippines is ready for new business, new investment and new partnerships, with policies crafted at the summit intended to bring tangible benefits to Filipinos at the grassroots.