On 14 January 2026, H.E. Ms. Prinat Apirat, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to ASEAN, paid an introductory call on H.E. Ms. Evangeline T. Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN and current Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), at the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN in Jakarta.

Ambassador Prinat reiterated Thailand’s readiness to support the ASEAN Chairship of the Philippines in 2026. This includes advancing agendas aligned with Thailand’s priorities and its active role in ASEAN, namely sustainable development—where Thailand serves as ASEAN Coordinator and hosts the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD); digital economy—where Thailand is Chair of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) Negotiating Committee; and health security—where Thailand hosts the ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) and will host the Secretariat Office and the Centre for Response and Risk Communication of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED). She also underscored the importance of advancing ASEAN’s key agendas in a manner that delivers tangible benefits to the people.

In addition, both sides exchanged views on ASEAN’s external relations and agreed on the importance of promoting principles, norms and dialogue, which ASEAN has consistently emphasised.

The Philippines has assumed the ASEAN Chairship in 2026 under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” with the following strategic priorities: (1) PEACE AND SECURITY Anchors (2) PROSPERITY Corridors and (3) PEOPLE Empowerment.