A Myanmar delegation led by Dr Wah Wah Maung, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations and ASEAN Economic Minister for Myanmar, attended the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat (32nd AEM Retreat) and its related events, which were held in Taguig City, the Philippines, from 12 to 13 March 2026.
The 32nd AEM Retreat was conducted in two sessions. During the first session, presentations were delivered by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) on its priority projects and initiatives for 2026. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) also presented a proposal on developing a new industrial policy framework aimed at strengthening ASEAN’s economic resilience. In addition, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) proposed initiatives to enhance the strategic partnership between ASEAN and ADB. ASEAN Economic Ministers noted their presentations and provided recommendations for further strengthening private sector engagement and enhancing public-private partnerships.
During the second session, ASEAN Economic Ministers exchanged views on regional and global outlook, the recommendations of the ASEAN Geoeconomic Task Force (AGTF) and the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI). They also discussed the implementation progress of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the sustainability initiatives of the AEC Pillar. The Ministers endorsed the concept notes of Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) under the AEM’s purview that will be implemented under the Philippines ASEAN chairmanship in 2026. Furthermore, ASEAN Economic Ministers provided the necessary guidance on the efforts to conclude and sign the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) by 2026. They also discussed the matters related to ASEAN Plus One free trade agreements, such as Canada, the Republic of Korea, and India. In addition, ASEAN Economic Ministers exchanged views on enhancing bloc-to-bloc economic cooperation with external partners such as the European Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
At the meeting, the Union minister emphasized the importance of economic security in the midst of rising geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainties. The Union Minister highlighted that economic security is essential for strengthening the resilience of regional value chains, ensuring stable economic growth, and deepening cooperation. The Union minister also noted that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East could pose challenges to regional energy security and stressed the need to enhance energy cooperation among ASEAN Member States. In addition, the Union minister underscored the necessity of strengthening regional cooperation on food security, rising commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions in order to overcome the challenges arising from increasing energy and transportation costs. In addition, the Union minister emphasized the importance of ASEAN Centrality, ASEAN solidarity with the concept of no member state lagging behind and the need of strengthening public-private partnerships to overcome challenges on economic sector.
The Union minister reaffirmed the close collaboration with other ASEAN Member States to ensure the timely implementation of the Priority Economic Deliverables under the Philippine Chairmanship in 2026. The Union minister also highlighted the importance of constructive negotiations to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes in ASEAN Plus Free Trade Agreements.”
The ASEAN Economic Ministers also adopted the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN’s Economic Resilience in Response to Recent Global Economic and Geoeconomic Developments.
During the meetings, the Union minister also participated in the launch event of a joint report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of the Philippines on ASEAN’s Green Economic Transition. The Union minister also visited the Likhang Filipino exhibition gallery in Manila, which showcases Philippine MSMEs’ products and discussed promoting bilateral trade between Myanmar and the Philippines. Furthermore, the Union minister attended the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ welcome dinner hosted by the Government of the Philippines.
The meeting was chaired by Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippines. The meeting was attended by ASEAN Economic Ministers and the delegates from ASEAN Member States, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.
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