Manila, November 27 (AseanAll) — Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with the Undersecretary for International Trade Group, Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, Allan B. Gepty, in Manila on November 27, 2025, as part of his Working Visit to the Republic of the Philippines.

They discussed preparations for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, particularly the strategic economic thrusts of the incoming Chair, including their Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) and the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030.
In addition, other key AEC initiatives were also discussed, such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement Negotiation, ASEAN External Economic relations, and ASEAN Sustainability agenda.