The week-long activities commenced with the 16th face-to-face interface between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

"The AMM-AICHR interface underscores the commitment of ASEAN towards advancing the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all peoples of the region, especially those in vulnerable situations," Imperial said.

Regional ministers convened for the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission meeting to review the 2023–2027 plan of action and deliberate on the accession of new candidate states to its Protocol.

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The longstanding objective remains securing global recognition and support for keeping Southeast Asia entirely free of nuclear arms.

Milestones and deliverables

The formal 59th AMM opens on Tuesday with the foreign ministers, diplomatic corps members, and resident missions in the Philippines attending the external session.

The body is expected to review progress across ASEAN's three community pillars, evaluate external relations, and exchange views on pressing international issues.

The ministers are expected to adopt two pivotal outcome documents, which include the 59th AMM Joint Communiqué and the Guidelines on the Modalities for Engagement of ASEAN with High Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

The communiqué is a comprehensive document reflecting regional decisions, positions on international developments, and core priorities.

The guidelines are a key deliverable of the Philippine chairmanship, establishing a structured framework for states that lack official partnerships with ASEAN.

"The guidelines are intended to strengthen cooperation with these states while upholding the principles of the TAC as the cornerstone of peace, stability, and confidence-building in the region," Imperial said.

On Wednesday, ASEAN will hold its Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) with key dialogue partners, including India, the United States, Canada, Russia, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

On Thursday, the 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) meeting, the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) will follow.

Regional flashpoints

Amid heightened worldwide tensions, Imperial highlighted the significance of these multilateral engagements.

"This is a very good opportunity, a venue for the dialogue partners... to address whatever is impacting currently regionally as well as globally", he said.

A highly anticipated bilateral meeting is also confirmed between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"We believe that this engagement is very important because we will address what we want to cover in bilateral relations between the Philippines and China," he said.

"It also has something to do with our regional impact of what's happening globally to the region.”

The ongoing crises in Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea are slated to dominate the ministerial discussions.

While exact negotiating positions remain fluid, Imperial confirmed that the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea and the enforcement of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar are permanent fixtures on the agenda.

"On the COC, it will always be a part of their discussions. And also on Myanmar, there will be an exchange of views on this issue," he said.

He added, "Engagement continues with not only the [State Administration Council] but also with other Myanmar stakeholders" to achieve measurable progress.

The week will conclude on Friday with a commemorative activity marking the TAC's 50th anniversary.

The landmark event features a signing ceremony for new acceding states, the inaugural high-level conference of the High Contracting Parties, and a gala dinner hosted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

-- BERNAMA-PNA