PH Hands Over ASEAN Economic Chairship to Singapore After Historic Digital Pact Milestone

A ceremonial gavel handover has officially transferred the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Chairship from the Philippines to Singapore, bringing a successful close to Manila's 2026 economic ministerial tenure.

Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque presented the gavel to Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at the conclusion of the 58th AEM Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Under Philippine leadership, bloc members prioritized deep regional integration amid shifting global trade dynamics. Key milestones during this chairship focused heavily on securing the early entry into force of the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and mapping out a comprehensive implementation framework for the landmark ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).

With negotiations and legal evaluations successfully wrapped up, the first-of-its-kind regional digital framework is positioned for its highly anticipated signing at the 49th ASEAN Leaders' Summit this coming November. The milestone agreement is projected to help double Southeast Asia's digital economy to $3 trillion by 2030.

Courtesy: ASEAN 2026 PH and PCO