At the 1/57 ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) held in the Philippines,

At the 1/57 ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) held in the Philippines, the 11 ASEAN member states unanimously agreed on the overall strategic direction for ASEAN economic cooperation in 2026. The strategy is designed to address challenges under the “new global order,” enhance regional competitiveness, and accelerate ASEAN’s progress toward becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy. The strategy will be submitted to the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting for consideration in March 2026.

The meeting was held from 19–25 January 2026 in Bohol, Philippines. Thailand’s Deputy Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Tatchayapong Apimontrachap, attended and participated in shaping ASEAN’s key economic priorities for 2026.

Five Strategic Priorities for ASEAN in 2026

1. Deepening Regional Trade and Investment IntegrationStrengthening regional supply chain connectivity in food, energy, and critical minerals, while promoting investment in semiconductors and high-value manufacturing to enhance supply chain security and value creation.

2. Accelerating the ASEAN Digital Economy CommunityFast-tracking the completion and signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), establishing unified rules for cross-border digital trade and data flows, with the goal of building the world’s largest digital economy zone.

3. Enhancing MSME CompetitivenessEstablishing a regional MSME Excellence Center to systematically improve innovation, financing, digitalization, and internationalization capabilities.

4. Advancing Green Economic Transition and Sustainable InvestmentRestructuring ASEAN’s economy toward green, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly development to attract sustainable investment.

5. Cultivating Creative Industries as a New Growth EngineEstablishing an ASEAN Creative Industry Excellence Center to integrate culture, content, design, and technology, positioning creative industries as a long-term economic value driver.

FTA and External Economic Cooperation Updates

• ASEAN–Canada Free Trade AgreementNegotiations are targeted for completion in 2026, focusing on market access for goods and services.

• ASEAN–India FTA Review and UpgradeNegotiations are approximately 44.8% complete, with ASEAN aiming to accelerate progress and unlock further regional market potential.

• ASEAN–GCC CooperationA feasibility study for a free trade agreement is planned, serving as a key strategy for ASEAN to expand into Middle Eastern markets and diversify trade partnerships.

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